George Ampratwum
Executive Director
George Ampratwum became the Executive Director of the University of Pittsburgh Career Center in August 2023.
He has served most recently as the Director of Partnerships and Career Development at the Ashinaga Foundation in Japan. While there, he led the design, execution, and evaluation of five professional development initiatives and strategic programs in Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Brazil, and sub-Saharan Africa for over 150 employees and 6500 students. Other accomplishments included leading research and analytics to identify audience learning needs for employees and students and creating and facilitating learning and professional development programs across seven regional offices (UK, France, Brazil, USA, Japan, Senegal and Uganda).
Prior to the Ashinaga Foundation, he served at the African Leadership University (ALU) in both Rwanda and Mauritius as a Career Development Manager and Associate, respectively, scaling ALU’s career development and strategic corporate partnerships across the Rwanda and Mauritius campuses to ensure that 1200+ student secured jobs post-graduation.
George brings to Pitt a global perspective and experience, as well as expertise in business development and analysis, strategy and systems design, talent sourcing and management, financial modeling, and team development and management, among other skills. He holds a B.A. in psychology and sociology and a Master of Philosophy from the University of Ghana and an Executive MBA from the African Leadership University in Rwanda. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, traveling, and working out.
Alyson Kavalukas
Assistant Director
Alyson joined the Career Center staff in 2012 and has been with the University since 2004. She has lived in Pittsburgh, Miami, Tampa, New York City and Lyon, France, with professional experience in a variety of industries. Alyson has two degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, a Bachelor of Arts in French and a Masters of Public Policy and Administration from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. Hail to Pitt!
Specialties and Interests
Special Events, Marketing, DataSharon Mickens
Associate Director, Employer Relations
Sharon Mickens joined the Career Center in June 2013. She serves as the Associate Director of Employer Relations. Sharon obtained her B.S. degree in Business Administration from the School of Business and Industry at Florida A&M University. Her experiences in leadership, management, training, and recruiting in the pharmaceutical and financial services industries lend support in attracting the region’s and the nation’s top employers to recruit from the world-class University of Pittsburgh.
Marie Newkirk
Assistant Director for Experiential Learning
Marie recently repatriated to the United States after 16 years of living and working in the Middle East. With 12 years of experience working in higher education in career development, she enjoys challenging, empowering, and training individuals for career exploration and growth. She is certified in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory and holds a certification as a Career Development Facilitator from the National Career Development Association, where she is also a member.
Before joining the University of Pittsburgh, she worked as the Career Services Manager for Northwestern University’s Qatar campus. She is experienced in career coaching, mentoring, professional development, administration, operational leadership, and experiential learning.
Marie holds a B.A. in Social Science and an M.S. in Education. She enjoys traveling, has been to over 20 countries, and likes gardening.
Ryan Sweeny
Associate Director
Ryan began his career at Pitt in 2004 in career services; prior to working at Pitt, he was a mental health counselor and a high school teacher and coach. In addition to his duties as Associate Director for Career Consulting, Ryan enjoys working with undecided students.
Ryan holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Notre Dame, and makes amazing queso!!
Carol Balk
Senior Career Consultant
Carol specializes in working with student populations including:
- Undergraduate students
- Transfer students
- Alumni
- Veterans
- Adult Students
- First Generation Students
Carol provides expertise in career development with these majors and certificates:
- Psychology
- Public Service/Non-profit management certificate
- Administration of Justice/Legal Studies/Law, Criminal Justice, and Society
- Health Services
- Natural Sciences
- Media and Professional Communications
- Urban Studies
Carol recently completed a Federal Advising Certificate which enables her to assist students in finding one of the almost 2 million jobs the government has to offer.
Fall and Spring Semesters – Make an appointment on Handshake for Monday-Friday or visit Carol during her drop-in hours on Thursday, 1pm – 3pm in the Career Center, 2nd Floor, WPU!
Summer Semester – Make a virtual appointment on Handshake for Monday-Friday or virtually drop-in during her virtual drop-in hours on Thursdays 1pm – 3pm by signing in on the Career Center website, careers.pitt.edu.
About Carol
Carol began working at the Career Center in July 2018. She earned her B.A. in Graphic Design from American University and her M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University, where she worked as a career counselor for 4 years serving undergraduate/graduate students and alumni. Carol teaches two one credit classes, including internship for students in the public service major as well as a career development class for CGS students.
Prior to joining the Pitt staff, Carol engaged in several careers including ownership and operation of Color Me Mine, a paint-your-own ceramic studio and as an art director and graphic designer at the Carnegie Museums. She is a certified administer of the MBTI personality assessment and a trained facilitator in salary negotiation through the American Association of University Women (AACW). She is a member of the National Career Development Association (NCDA), American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU), National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the Career Leadership Collective (CLC).
Specialties and Interests
Veterans, Adult Students, First Generation StudentsAlex Ball
Pre-Law & Social Sciences Career Consultant
Alexander (Alex) Ball graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. In December of 2018, Alex was offered the role of Internship Associate with the university’s career center. In February of 2023, he transitioned into the role of the Pre-Law & Social Sciences Career Consultant. He was a member of the Diversity + You team, facilitated the Panther Leadership Academy during the 2020 school year, and developed a “Mock Interview Day” program to help students practice their interview skills with recruiters in a more relaxed, welcoming environment. Alex has a B.A. in Marketing from Penn State University and an M.Ed. in Higher Education from the University of Pittsburgh.
Alex is available to help any students considering Law School in their future or have interests related to the social science field.
Specialties and Interests
Pre-Law & Social SciencesIngrid Beute
Career Consultant, Engineering & Science & Career Champions Program Coordinator
Born in Johannesburg South Africa, Ingrid journeyed to the United States initially as an international student and has since lived in Venezuela and Canada before settling in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. Ingrid joined the Career Staff in 2022 bringing with her experience in Intercultural Development, Performing Arts, Career Education and Development, Academic Advising and Academic Coaching.
Ingrid holds a M.A. in Counseling & Development, Student Affairs in Higher Education from Slippery Rock University, and a M.A. in Piano Performance from the College Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. During the Covid-19 Pandemic she completed an IMMA accredited certification as Positive Psychology Practitioner and Mindfulness Coach.
Ingrid serves as the Career Consultant and Departmental Point of Contact for:
Swanson School of Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science
Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences
- Astronomy
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Geology
- Neuroscience
- Physics
Ingrid also serves as coordinator for Pitt’s Career Champion Program
Gabby Brumond
Experiential Learning Consultant
Gabrielle (Gabby) Brumond joined the Career Center in December 2024 as an Experiential Learning Consultant. Her passion is to assist students with finding experiential learning opportunities to develop transferable career skills and aid in career discovery. She also hopes to specialize in tailoring career resources for students who identify as first-generation college students, neurodivergent, and/or having a disability. Her background includes working with Residence Life and Housing and in Student Wellbeing. She feels these experiential learning jobs she held during undergrad is what equipped her best for working with students and beginning her new career in Higher Education.
When not working, you can find Gabby painting, playing Animal Crossing, or hanging out with her French Bull-huahua buddy, Sado.
Gabby graduated from the University of Delaware with a joint B.S. and M.S. in Neuroscience. Prior to working at the University of Pittsburgh she worked as a research specialist at UPMC. She is originally from Central New Jersey.
Specialties and Interests
Experiential LearningAlyssa Camerota
Senior Career Consultant
Alyssa started with the Career Center in March 2014 working specifically with undecided students. She now also supports students pursuing technical and data-related majors. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Westminster College and her M.S. in Professional Counseling from Carlow University. Her background includes mental health counseling and both social and clinical research.
Alyssa offers personality and career assessments to help with the career exploration process. Alyssa is certified in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory.
Alyssa works with Undecided, Undeclared, and students from the following majors:
Computational Biology
Computational Social Science
Computer Science
Data Science
Digital Narrative and Interactive Design
Information Science
Mathematics
Statistics
Specialties and Interests
Undecided StudentsTotionna Hill
Experiential Learning Coordinator
Totionna Hill began working in the Career Center in March 2025 as an Experiential Learning Consultant. She is devoted to helping students develop career readiness skills, find Experiential Learning opportunities, and aid in career exploration. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, she graduated from Slippery Rock University with a BSc in Psychology Neuroscience before studying abroad in Wales, UK. She graduated from Swansea University with a MSc in Research Methods in Psychology.
Before joining the Career Center, Totionna worked in Housing and Residence Life to develop workshops for students, assist in their adjustment to campus, and host events to foster a sense of community among residents within the halls. She has also worked with the Pittsburgh Promise, focusing on aiding scholarship recipients in their transition and continued educational experience on campus. Outside of work, you can find Totionna playing video games, watching YouTube, crocheting, or visiting the bookstore.
Specialties and Interests
Experiential LearningSaya Jackson
Career Consultant
Saya Jackson joined the Career Center in November 2023 to serve students in the fields of computing, informatics, and analytics. He is enthusiastic about collaborating with learners as they navigate their career transitions so that they don’t lose their vision, compromise their values, or silence their authentic voice.
He comes with over a decade of experience working as a human capacity development professional including five years of supporting the professional development of software developers at an international software company. He has also served as a research supervisor, lecturer, and a learning designer.
He was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya and has lived and worked in several African countries including South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and Nigeria.
Saya is a certified mental health coach and holds undergraduate and master’s qualifications in applied and Life Sciences as well as post-graduate certification in global entrepreneurship.
Saya works with the following majors:
Computational Biology
Computational Social Science
Computer Science
Data Science
Digital Narrative and Interactive Design
Information Science
Mathematics
Physics and Quantum Computing
Statistics
Specialties and Interests
STEMRaquel Montalvo Perez
Student-Athlete Career Consultant
Born in Cochabamba-Bolivia, journeyed to the United States initially as an international student-athlete to play tennis, and has since lived in Kentucky and Washington State before settling in the Pittsburgh Area. Raquel began working at the Career Center in October 2022. She earned her B.B.A. in General Business and her M.S. in Exercise & Sports Science with a Sports Administration concentration from Eastern Kentucky University, where she worked as a life skills mentor for 2 years serving undergraduate first year student-athletes.
Prior to joining Pitt, Raquel served as the Life Skills Graduate Intern for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, in Spokane, WA. During her time, she oversaw the career development for all student-athletes as well as coordinating different community building events with SAAC as their WCC Liaison. She also served as academic point person for incoming freshmen of Women’s Tennis, Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Rowing.
Previously to Gonzaga, she served as the Graduate Assistant for the Bratzke Student-Athlete Academic Success Center at Eastern Kentucky University where she oversaw academic progress for Football and Men’s Basketball.
Specialties and Interests
Student AthletesAshley Steffy
Career Consultant, STEM
Ashley has been with the Career Center since September 2019 with a focus on assisting students within engineering, biological sciences and chemistry succeed. She graduated from Carlow University with a Masters in Student Affairs, though she has additional coursework related to counseling psychology. Ashley was born in Washington, PA and attended Washington & Jefferson College where she received her BA in Sociology. Her previous background is in mental health and education. She has a passion for advocacy, professional development, sustainability, and helping students to grow and thrive at Pitt and beyond.
When not at Pitt she can be found reading, gaming, playing Dungeons & Dragons or spending time with her two curious cats!
Ashley serves as the Career Consultant and Departmental Point of Contact for the following majors:
Swanson School of Engineering
Bioengineering
Chemical Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences
Bioinformatics
Biological Sciences
Chemistry
Computational Biology
Ecology & Evolution
Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Specialties and Interests
Engineering and ScienceErin Wheeler
Senior Career Consultant
Erin started working at the Career Center in November 2018. Prior to that, she worked at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education. Erin comes to the Career Center with four year in Higher Education as well as experience as an elementary teacher. She grew up in Meadville, PA but has also lived in Winchester, Virginia and Columbus, Ohio before moving to Pittsburgh in 2014. Erin earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Westminster College and her MEd in Higher Education Management at the University of Pittsburgh.
Erin’s passions includes advocating for a healthy work/life balance as well as physical activity. In her spare time you can find Erin at a yoga studio or researching local history.
Erin works with the following majors…
Africana Studies
Anthropology
Applied Developmental Psychology
Architectural Studies
Communication
Economics
Education
English
Exercise Science
Film and Media Studies
Foreign Language
Health & Physical Activity
History of Art & Architecture
Linguistics
Museum Studies
Music
Public and Professional Writing
Religious Studies
Social Work
Sociology
Theater Arts
Specialties and Interests
Liberal Arts, Pre-Business, Education and Social WorkBrian Doyle
Brian Doyle joined the Career Center in 2019. He serves as an Employment Development Specialist focusing on STEM for Science and Engineering. His primary responsibility is creating increased employer interaction for students by developing relationships with companies and employers in these Engineering and Science fields.
Brian graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 2015 and a Master of Business Administration from Delaware Valley University in 2018. He grew up in Bucks County, right outside of Philadelphia, but has always had a connection to Pittsburgh as a lifetime Steelers fan. He is a proud Pitt almunus and a strong supporter of athletics here. Hail to Pitt!
Jeff Porter
Employment Development Specialist
Jeff Porter joined the Career Center in August 2015. He serves as an Employment Development Specialist for technology, engineering, and math related majors. His primary role is employer relations and employment development for technical fields. He also advises students that are in need of assistance with their career search based on Career Consultant referrals.
Jeff has a B.A. in Economics and Latin American Studies from the University of Texas and a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from the University of Colorado. He has professional experience in human resources/recruiting, pharmaceutical sales and teaching English as a Second Language.
Lina Zwastetzky
Employment Development Specialist
Michelina (Lina) Zwastetzky joined the Career Center in 2023. She serves as an Employment Development Specialist for students whose career interests include business, government, non-profit, the arts, marketing, media, education, and more. Her primary role is matching employers with students by developing positive relationships with companies who are open to hiring students within the liberal arts majors.
Lina graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, earned a teaching certificate from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Education in Higher Education Management from Pitt. With experience in industry and teaching, her goal is to focus on student and employer success stories.
Doyin Awofiranye
Alumni Student Programs Coordinator
Adedoyin (Doyin) Awofiranye joined the Pitt Career Center in 2023 as a recent graduate from the Master of Business Administration program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a bachelor degree in Economics from Covenant University in Nigeria. Her academic experience, particularly as a Teaching Assistant at Rensselaer, equipped her with robust data analysis and strategic planning abilities. As the Black Graduate Student Association Secretary at RPI and former Student Body President at New Hall International School, Doyin developed a passion for leadership and mentoring.
Specialties and Interests
Networking and Student-Alumni EngagementKaitlin Anne Miller
Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director
Kaitlin joined the Career Center in September 2024. Prior to that, she worked as an Assistant Kindergarten Teacher where she helped students work toward who they wanted to become. She is now excited to be a part of a team that continues this work. Kaitlin graduated from Pitt in 2016 with a double major in fiction writing and communication, a studio arts minor, and a digital media certificate.
Alice Harrison
Alice has been an employee at the University of Pittsburgh since 1990. In 2007, she joined the Career Center and currently is the Student Services Assistant/Receptionist.
Margaret Krall
Business Manager
Peggy started in the Career Center in August 1994. Her responsibilities include all budgets, human resources related duties and compliance with University processes and procedures. Peggy has been at the University of Pittsburgh since 1978 working in research, medicine and education before arriving in Student Affairs. During that time, she attended Pitt for Psychology. She says working in Student Affairs has been the best experience she’s had at Pitt because of the opportunity to work with students.
Bradley Pollock
Data Coordinator
Bradley Pollock became the Pitt Career Center’s Data Coordinator in May 2023. He has worked at Pitt since 2019, most recently as a Research Development Analyst in Pitt’s Office of Research. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English with a Minor in Education from Allegheny College and is currently earning a graduate certificate in Applied Data Driven Methods from Pitt. In his role he supports collection, analysis, and presentation of relevant student data including the annual first destination survey.
Samantha Louis
Graduate Intern
Samantha is currently a Graduate Student at Chatham University working to earn her Master’s in Counseling Psychology. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Conflict and Resolution Studies at Washington & Jefferson College. She joined the Career Center team as an intern in May of 2024.
Outside of academia, Samantha enjoys watching Pittsburgh sports, traveling, working out, and reading.
Sasha Gorchanyuk
Special Events Coordinator
