Name and Title
Diana Rae Patten, Director of Internships and Career Services

Education

• Master of Arts Degree - Organizational Leadership, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa
• Bachelor of Arts Degree - Sociology, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Associate of Arts Degree - Elementary Education, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Did you ever change your major?
Sure did! After receiving my AA degree, I enrolled at another college and majored in Criminal Justice and even took some accounting courses for business. When I transferred to Coe I was determined to take classes I enjoyed (especially since I was paying for my education) hence the Sociology degree.

What previous jobs/careers have you had?
I firmly believe that my previous experiences have prepared me very well for professional Career Counseling. Some of my experiences (paid and volunteer) have been Secretary, E.M.T (Emergency Medical Technician), Corporate Trainer/Banking Industry, Community College Instructor, Cable Access Channel Coordinator, City Council Member, President/CEO of a non-profit, President of Professional Women's Network (over 400 members) and community leader.

If you had an alternate career, what would it be?
What I do now is what I would do for THE best career ever….because I love it! My second choice would be international food/pastry critic…it would incorporate my love of travel, reading, meeting new people, trying new things and eating!

What do you enjoy most about working with college students?
To help students discover their own potential. There is nothing, absolutely NOTHING more exciting to see/hear what happens when a student has an "ah ha" moment in exploring "life after college"!

What is your personal theory of career?
Does the person "want to work to live or live to work". Two very distinctive philosophies. I believe that "career" is one part of the whole person. In my opinion, the BEST long term employees are those that have the most balance in their lives.

Hobbies
Travel (international and domestic), music - all kinds (including jazz, positive rap, country, rock, new age, classical, big band etc), being around "cool/fun" people (like my colleagues; special friend, Mike), eating, CHOCOLATE, animals (wild and domestic…have 3 cats: Ben, Jeri and Bear), reading, politics (domestic/international), intercultural communications, learning new things, meeting new people. Challenging myself to hear/see/learn different and new perspectives.