Contact Us

Mission Statement: Empower students, alumni, and additional stakeholders by educating them through flexible services and resources to enhance their quality of life.

Vision Statement: Build a culture of career readiness that is essential to the ETSU experience and empower students to live the lives they design. 

Contact Information: Sherrod Library, First Floor (behind Einstein's) | (423) 439-4450 | careers@etsu.edu 

Disclaimer: University Career Services (UCS) at East Tennessee State University makes no representations or guarantees, but applies due diligence and care in the research and approval of positions posted on our career management system, Handshake, listed on our website, or distributed by any other means. We are not responsible for the safety, wages, working conditions, or other aspects of employment. We strive for accuracy at the time of posting. All users of our information must take personal responsibility when obtaining employer information, accepting interviews, or positions offered.

Additionally, UCS makes every reasonable effort to assist ETSU students and alumni who request our services for help in reaching their career goals, yet each individual has the ultimate responsibility to obtain their goals of employment, internships, or graduate school admission. Please direct questions or comments related to this disclaimer to careers@etsu.edu. 

Dr. Jeffrey Alston,
Director 
alstonj@etsu.edu 
(423) 439-4450
Fax: (423) 439-6489

• Learn More About Jeff

  Tell about where you are from:
  Louisburg, NC. Have lived in Charlotte, NC, Memphis, TN, Baltimore, MD, Rochester, NY and
  now Johnson City, TN.
  Tell about how you ended up at ETSU University Career Services:
  Formal recruitment process. Wanted to move closer to home, and ETSU checked a lot of the
  boxes I was looking for in terms, of school size, students, opportunity and geography.
  Tell about your education:
  Doctorate of Education: University of Rochester
  Master of Business Administration: Morgan State University
  Bachelor of Arts: Winston-Salem State University
  Tell about something you do outside of UCS—outside of ETSU:
  Travel!!! MY favorite city I have visited so far is Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. I have been here four
  times. I am also a reader and big movie buff. I particularly enjoy Golden Globe and Oscar
  season.
  1) What is your favorite part of working for ETSU University Career Services?
  Helping students take the next step toward launching their careers.
  2) What is your favorite movie?
  Love Jones
  3) What is your favorite book?
  Shoe Dog = Phil Knight
  4) What type of music do you listen to?
  R&B, House, 90’s & early 00 hip-hop, Gospel, Jazz
  5) What is your favorite food?
  My mother’s Fried Pork Chops
  6) What hobbies do you have?
  Reading, traveling, going to the movies
  7) What did you want to be when you grew up?
  CEO of a Fortune 100 business
  8) If I could travel anywhere, I would go…
  EGYPT

Calvin B. Purvis
Assistant Director
purvisc@etsu.edu 
(423) 439-4450
Fax: (423) 439-6489

• Learn More About Calvin

  Tell about where you are from:
  Kingsport, Tennessee
  Tell about how you ended up at ETSU University Career Services
  I was selected from a nationally advertised search. It was a full day interview. I met deans, senior division leaders,
  made a classroom presentation, and greeted the public in an open forum. My instructional experience is from
  ETSU and Northeast State Community College. I am also an alumnus of the ETSU College of Business and
  Technology. Previously, I was cross-trained in retail bank management at Falls Church, VA corporate
  headquarters then managed branches locally for TN Operations at Tri-City Bank and Trust Company.
  Tell about your Education
  M. A. - Applied Organizational Management from Tusculum University
  B.B.A. in Finance, Concentration: Banking, Real Estate Certificate
  Career Coaching Intensive Training – NACE Certificate | SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)
  Certification Training (40 Hours) | American Institute of Banking (Manager /Bank Management Trainee Credits)
  Tell about something you do outside of UCS—outside of ETSU
  Family activities, technology consulting, and community involvement, I am a lifetime member of the National
  Eagle Scout Association and gained additional leadership experience with the Kingsport JAYCEES early in my
  career.
  1) What is your favorite part of working for ETSU University Career Services?
  Interaction - Assisting our students, alumni, faculty, staff, employers, and administrators with career services
  support and helping others with career related planning and preparation. I also enjoy sharing best practices and
  resources.
  2) What is your favorite movie?
  Stargate (1994)
  3) What is your favorite book?
  Beacon Lights of History by John Lord and using www.gutenberg.org (Project Gutenberg Library Online)
  4) What type of music do you listen to?
  Alternative, Blues, Country, Dance, Electronic, Smooth Jazz, Pop, R&B / Soul, Rock, and World Music
  5) What is your favorite food?
  American, Italian, Mexican, Cajun, American Southern/Soul
  6) What hobbies do you have?
  Disc Golf, Camping, Hiking, Darts, Innovation, Recycling, Restorations, and Antiques
  7) What did you want to be when you grew up?
  Healthy, Prosperous, and Successful - A person with many good friends and a positive workplace.
  8) If I could travel anywhere, I would go…
  Touring National Parks and Canadian Scenic Areas

Outreach and Employer Services Coordinator
careers@etsu.edu 
(423) 439-4450
Fax: (423) 439-6489

•  Learn More About 

   

Cathy Metcalf
Information Research Technician II
metcalfc@etsu.edu
(423) 439-4493
Fax: (423) 439-6489

• Learn More About Cathy

  Tell about where you are from
  I am originally from Bensalem, in the Philadelphia, PA area.
  Tell about how you ended up at ETSU University Career Services
  After working in ETSU Disability Services for over 12 years, the department downsized,
  and asked if I would take a lateral transfer to Career Services during the 2017-2018 year.
  Tell about your education
  After earning a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, I taught in Christian schools in
  Pennsylvania and Tennessee, then pursued a career in ASL interpreting, a side gig I had
  been developing over the years. Working for ETSU as a sign language interpreter became
  full time, and over the years here, I went back to class after 20+ years, and earned a
  Masters Certificate in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) to inform my
  tutoring of Deaf students, and then a Master’s Degree in Reading, with a concentration in
  Storytelling.
  Tell about something you do outside of UCS—outside of ETSU
  I have interpreted for the Deaf, and taught ASL for almost 20 years of Deaf ministry at Belle
  Meadows Baptist Church in Bristol, VA. I also do a fair amount of storytelling at various
  venues, such as ADS (Adult Day Center), Tipton-Haynes Historic Site, and often interpret in
  ASL for the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, and various theaters
  throughout the local region.
  1) What is your favorite part of working for ETSU University Career Services?
  I love the staff and their motivation to help students to succeed. They all work together as a
  team, which is very refreshing!
  2) What is your favorite movie?
  I like various types of movies, and I would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. The genres I
  tend to enjoy most are Sci-fi, romantic comedies, and historical movies.
  3) What is your favorite book?
  Other than the Bible, which is very inspiring and edifying to me, I like historical romance
  novels, especially if they involve time-travel. I am listening to one time travel historical
  series now on my way to and from work.
  4) What type of music do you listen to?
  I like 70’s music, including disco, as well as love songs of any era, Motown, and some
  classical music, especially baroque.
  5) What is your favorite food?
  Pizza, Soft Pretzels with cheese, and genuine Philly Cheesesteaks!
  6) What hobbies do you have?
  I like to do crafts. I also enjoy shopping, reading and watching movies.
  7) What did you want to be when you grew up?
  I have always wanted to be a teacher!
  8) If I could travel anywhere, I would go…
  I’d love to visit Scotland, to visit my ancestors and meet relatives on my mother’s side.

Susan Creek
Executive Aide (Internship Coordinator)
creek@etsu.edu 
(423) 439-5388
Fax: (423) 439-6489 

• Learn More About Susan

  Tell about where you are from:
  I was born in Inglewood Los Angeles California. We lived there until I was three at which time we
  moved back to Southern Oregon where my father was raised. I lived in Southern Oregon until 1985 at
  which time I moved to the Eastern United States. I have lived in Atlanta GA, South Central Missouri and
  here in Johnson City TN since moving east.
  Tell about how you ended up at ETSU University Career Services:
  When I graduated from ETSU with my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development (minor in
  Child & Family), I immediately went to work for a nonprofit organization that was under the umbrella
  of ETSU. In the next few years, it transitioned to a self-governing nonprofit and separated from ETSU.
  After working several years in the nonprofit sector, I felt the pull to return to ETSU and Career Services
  became my new ‘home’.
  Tell about your education:
  I graduated ETSU with my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood development (minor in Child and
  Family Studies) in May 2001. I just completed my Master of Professional Studies, concentration in
  Strategic Leadership graduating December 15, 2018.
  Tell about something you do outside of UCS - outside of ETSU:
  I serve in my church, travel (love cruising both on the high seas and on our Harley), enjoy reading, and
  especially love spending time with my large family (children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren). I
  am a member of the Civic Chorale. We perform four concerts a year, two in the spring and two in the
  fall. Members are from all over this region and audition for placement in the chorale. We always need
  male voices, so if you are interested, I would be happy to connect you to the conductor for an audition.
  1. What is your favorite part of working for ETSU University Career Services?
  I love working with students: the internship students to help them get the hands on experience to boost
  their employment possibilities, and our student workers. I love feeling every day that I can touch
  someone and make a difference in their life.
  2. What is your favorite movie?
  I love Hallmark movies! All of them! Several non-Hallmark movies I like are Willow, Kate and
  Leonardo’s Titanic, and David Bowie’s Labyrinth
  3. What is your favorite book?
  I like scriptures first and foremost. My leisure reading is Christian romance novels.
  4. What type of music do you listen to?
  I like relaxing music most of the time of any genre, but like kicking music (like Journey and Kansas)
  when I drive. Because my husband is a singer songwriter, his music is always being played. He says I am
  his muse.
  5. What is your favorite food?
  I currently have severe dietary limitations. My favorite foods from the past are grilled cheese
  sandwiches, ice cream and pizza, which I can no longer eat. My current favorite foods are now fresh
  fruit, salmon & coconut milk ice cream.
  6. What hobbies do you have?
  Computer graphics for my husband’s original music CD covers and special family projects.
  7. What did you want to be when you grew up?
  Teacher and mother
  8. If I could travel anywhere,
  I would go on an Alaskan Cruise

 
Olayinka “Mo” Makanjoula, Graduate Assistant
careers@etsu.edu | (423) 439-4450

Katelyn Lane, Graduate Assistant
careers@etsu.edu | (423) 439-4450

Joseph Lara, Graduate Assistant
careers@etsu.edu | (423) 439-4450

Jonathan Glover, Graduate Assistant
 careers@etsu.edu |  (423) 439-4450

Hallie Morelock, Graduate Assistant
 careers@etsu.edu | (423) 439-4450

Career Ambassadors (Student Staff)
(423) 439-4450