FACE VALUEKirsten Brue

Careers are Her Job

DOUG BURG

A counselor in Northwestern’s Career Development Center, Kirsten Brue assists students with identifying and achieving their career goals. From advising undecided majors and helping students research careers to arranging externships and informational interviews, Kirsten helps students succeed.

What brought you to Northwestern?
I’ve always told students that sometimes those pivotal, shipwreck moments in our lives will point us to our futures. I was an undecided junior when I was in college. I thought choosing a career would somehow give me identity, value or worth. My college adviser challenged how I viewed myself. During our first meeting, he said, “Let’s not talk about what you want to do, but instead talk about who you want to be.” I still tear up when I think about that moment. I discovered I could “do” a lot of different careers in my life, but living into who God created me to be was infinitely more important. So I came to Northwestern to work with undecided students because it is such a formative part of my own story.

You were a resident director at another Christian college for three years. What did that contribute to your career journey?
I learned a lot working as an RD. I wore so many different hats—counselor, mediator, organizer, creator, manager, cleaner, encourager, truth teller—and all of them have prepared me well for subsequent roles in my life.

In your years spent advising students, what (or who) has been your greatest success story?
Having any student invest the time, energy and self-reflection to work the process is always what I consider success. It’s hard work to decide what direction you want to go, especially knowing that it probably will change over the course of your life due to crisis moments or new skills/interests. If I had to pick one success, I’d say the externship program. I gather alumni mentors who are willing to have students come to their workplaces and homes over spring break to learn more about their career. It doesn’t boast large numbers, but students always return with stories about how significant it was in their career development.

What are some of the qualities you've seen in NWC students that make them good employees no matter what career they pursue?
Qualities that make students successful employees are those transferable skills that our liberal arts curriculum hones: critical and analytical thinking, written and oral communication, reading and research skills. Other qualities employers love are a willingness to learn and grow, a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility, interpersonal skills, and computer savvy.

What do you do for fun?
Every evening you can find me with a book in my hands and my 12-year-old cat, Olive, in my lap. As an introvert, it’s the easiest way for me to recharge after a day of meeting with students. You’ll also find me swimming; walking my lab mix, Zoe; or playing games with my sons, Hyatt and Simeon. Summers also include gardening.