Alex 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 SciencesContact
Recent Posts
Carol Balk
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
Fall and Spring Semesters – Make an appointment on Handshake for Monday-Friday or visit Carol during her drop-in hours on Tuesdays, 11am-1pm 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 Tuesdays, 11am-1pm 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 StudentsContact
Recent Posts
Alyssa Camerota
Career Consultant

Alyssa started with the Career Center in March 2014 working specifically with undecided students. 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.
Specialties and Interests
Undecided StudentsContact
Recent Posts
Ingrid Beute
Career Consultant, Engineering & Science

Ingrid serves as the Career Consultant and Departmental Point of Contact for the following majors:
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
About Ingrid
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 and Global Development, Career Education and Development, Academic Advising and Academic Coaching. Ingrid obtained her master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Slippery Rock University. During the Covid-19 Pandemic she completed an IMMA accredited certification as Positive Psychology Practitioner and Mindfulness Coach.
Specialties and Interests
Engineering, Science,Contact
Recent Posts
- FEATURED Resource: Disability Solutions @ Ability Beyond
- Thriving in the Virtual Working Environment: How to be successful and advance in your career.
- Wellbeing in the Virtual Work Environment: Tips and Considerations
- I am a Neuroscience Major. Now What? Graduate School and Career Paths to pursue in Neuroscience.
- Lime Connect: Network of and Employment Resource for higher-potential university students and professionals with disabilities.
Glen Edward
Alyson Kavalukas
Interim 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
InternshipsContact
Recent Posts
Ashley 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 ScienceContact
Recent Posts
- Interested in gaining first hand experience following a medical provider in a clinical setting? Check out ScribeAmerica within!
- Prepare for the Fair: Tips for Success!
- Prepare for the Fair: Tips for Success!
- Open House for Prospective Public Health Graduate Students!
- Physical Scientists can do anything: Here’s how you start your career planning by Alaina G. Levine
Ryan Sweeny
Interim 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 Interim Director, 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.
Erin Wheeler
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 WorkContact
Recent Posts
Raquel Montalvo Perez

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 Greater 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.