Career Night event will show how a degree in education can lead to many job options

For more information, contact:

Robin Frey
Alumni and Events Coordinator
UF College of Education
392-0728, ext. 293

By Desiree Pena

Writer-Intern
UF College of Education

Teaching is not the only career path available through the College of Education. UF students can learn about the many other choices on Thursday, Sept. 23, when the college holds its annual Education Career Night. The event will take place in Norman Hall’s Terrace Room (G400) starting at 7 p.m. The event is geared toward UF students interested in finding out about the many career options that come with a degree from the College of Education.

Although the event, which is co-sponsored by the College of Education and the UF Student Alumni Association, is pertinent to College of Education students, it also provides examples of occupations besides teaching that a degree in education can lead to. Administrative training, counselor training, educational psychology and special education are a small sampling of the degrees available.

“This event will showcase a panel of College of Education graduates and show that an education degree can lead to other non-traditional careers and options,” said Robin Frey, alumni and event coordinator for the College of Education.

A career-diverse group of speakers will return to their alma mater to speak on the variety of career opportunities that can arise out of a degree in education.

The speakers are:

  • Sen. Evelyn J. Lynn. Lynn received her doctoral degree in instructional leadership at UF and has served many roles as a teacher, assistant superintendent, professor, city commissioner and business owner.  As a state senator for District 7 of Florida (including parts of Clay, Volusia, Putnam, and Marion counties) since 2002, she has worked to pass several pieces of legislation appropriating money to fund K-12 education and led a reappropriation of $30.1 million dollars in unclaimed lottery money to match scholarship contributions to college students.
  • Leanetta Cosby McNealy. McNealy graduated from UF with an Ed. S. and Ed. M. in curriculum and instruction. She is currently the principal of Duval Elementary School in Gainesville and is widely recognized across the state of Florida for raising her school’s grade from an F to an A last year. She was able to maintain the school’s A grade for a second consecutive year.
  • Mark Rosser. Rosser is vice president of operations for the Corporation Service Company (CSC) in Tallahassee and, upon graduation from UF with a B.A.E. in social studies education, he worked with the Florida secretary of state as assistant bureau chief. He also served two terms on the board of directors of National Public Records Research Association.
  • Portia Laverne Taylor. Taylor graduated with a Ph.D. in higher education administration and is currently the vice president of student affairs at Santa Fe Community College. She is also the president for the Women’s Forum in Gainesville, and was named “Person of the Year” in 1993 by the Gainesville Sun.

After the panelists make their presentations, a question and answer session will be conducted and refreshments will be served.

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