About Us

Career Services provides UM-Dearborn students help with career exploration and planning, job preparation, and job search skill development. We facilitate connections between students, employers, and the community by providing a wide range of events and guidance that help students achieve their career best!

Programs and Services:

• Career planning, coaching and exploration
• Resume and cover letter advising, and mock interviews
• Walk-in career support with professionally trained career peers
• Assessments to help you decide on your major and career path and to explore your strengths, interests and skills
• Workshops and presentations on career-related topics
• Opportunities to connect with employers and alumni

Career Services encourages students to work with us every year they are here.

In visiting Career Services you will find a welcoming atmosphere. We provide resources and services to students of all backgrounds, and we encourage you to utilize the services and programs that would be helpful in identifying your strengths and abilities.  By working with our team and utilizing our resources, we can help you to identify things you can be doing now to be more competitive later. We encourage you to review our website, attend our events and speak with a Career Coach to help address any questions or concerns.

Laurel Draudt, Career Services Director
Laurel Draudt has been working in the higher education industry for more than 20 years and has a passion for helping students develop and reach their academic and career goals. Having served students, alumni and employers and collaborated with faculty and colleagues at multiple R1 universities, she also brings programming, development and strategy insights from a small liberal arts perspective. Her experience spans from Schools of Law, Pharmacy, and Education to most recently directing a Business Institute with a focus on professional development and experiential learning which included an academic curriculum and internship requirement. Each institution and role has offered a wealth of knowledge that allows for a holistic approach in working with colleagues and advising students. Laurel earned her Master of Arts degree in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marietta College in Spanish.

Mai Qazzaz, Assistant Director of Career Services
Mai Qazzaz specializes in employer relations. Mai helps employers to connect to campus and students through various recruiting, informational and networking events and helps employers to post job and internship opportunities on Wolverine Career Connections. Some of the major recruiting events are the Fall and Spring Career Fairs, Criminal Justice and Non-Profit Fair, and the Health & Human Services Career Fair. In addition to the fairs, Mai hosts many Employer Spotlights and tabling events across campus and works with different campus partners, for example, the Office of Financial Aid to help with the work-study program and it's off-campus non-profit organizations.

Jennifer Macleod, Senior Professional Development Program Manager
As the Senior Professional Development Program Manager, Jennifer Macleod has a focus on career readiness and student support, as well as program development and cross-campus collaboration at UM-Dearborn.  She is a career coach, facilitates career-centered and personal development workshops, manages the Career Services Career Peer program, and is a certified CliftonStrengths Facilitator.  Jennifer graduated with her MA in Educational Leadership with a focus in Higher Education Student Affairs from Eastern Michigan University.  At Eastern Michigan, she worked with at-risk student populations as a teacher and success coach for three years.  She is optimistic, passionate about personal growth, and enjoys learning from each person she meets. She strives to be a positive resource and guide for her students by staying student-focused. Jennifer feels college is a place to grow, where individuals can strengthen their mind, explore passions, develop transferable skills, gain an understanding of personal values, and prepare for a future career.

Zainab Radi, Career Coach & Data Analyst
Zainab Radi is a dedicated Career Coach at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, driven by her passion to assist students and alumni in their professional journeys while helping them achieve their full potential. With a strong commitment to empowering individuals to fulfill their aspirations, she is honored to be a part of the Wolverine community, offering essential guidance, resources, and support for those pursuing rewarding careers. Zainab also leads the Career Services efforts in surveying students and alumni regarding their post-graduation plans through the First Destination Survey. Simultaneously, Zainab is actively pursuing a Doctorate in Education (EdD), underscoring her dedication to enhancing the educational experience and future prospects of UM-Dearborn students. Alongside her academic journey, she remains steadfast in her mission to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of UM-Dearborn students and the broader community.

Alyssa Ayyash, Career Coach

Alyssa Ayyash supports students in navigating their career development with clarity, confidence, and a strong sense of personal direction. Drawing from her professional foundation in consulting and her education at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, she brings firsthand experience with competitive hiring processes, transferable skills, and the challenges of early career transitions. In her role as a Career Coach, Alyssa provides one-on-one coaching, facilitates career preparation workshops, and helps students articulate their strengths through effective resumes, LinkedIn optimization, networking strategies, and interview preparation. She approaches her work through a people-centered and systems-aware lens, grounded in both employer expectations and student realities, and collaborates across teams to reinforce career readiness while helping students build professional confidence and advocate for themselves. Alyssa is excited to contribute to the UM-Dearborn community and serve as a thoughtful, strategic partner for students and alumni as they explore opportunities, build skills, and pursue meaningful careers. 

Aleeya: Career Peer

Aleeya is an Undergraduate Pre-Business student!  Her professional goals revolve around entrepreneurship - aspiring to create and manage her own business. Aleeya became a Career Peer because she faced the exact issues that Career Services assists with; especially with Resume support! Seeking on-campus employment was tough, and finding support from Career Services was helpful and so becoming a career peer has given her the opportunity to raise awareness about Career Services’ resources and urge others to seek assistance so that they don't face similar challenges. Aleeya feels being a Career Peer has expanded her network - building relationships with people in different majors and backgrounds. At UM-Dearborn Aleeya loves the unwavering go-blue spirit and campus community - "Once a wolverine, always a wolverine"

Fun facts about Aleeya: Baking (a form of self-care and self-expression for her), daily workouts, attending business-related events, staying engaged with her student organization involvements (FMA, AMA, and SCA). 

Azra: Career Peer

Azra is a psychology major with a minor in Law and Society, currently preparing to apply to law school. Azra is driven by a passion for justice, equality, and advocating for universal access to basic human rights. Currently, she's a Career Peer at the Career Services office and is always happy to help support students. Her Bangladeshi roots have shaped her values, and she carries that influence proudly while building her future in her second home here. 

Fun facts about Azra: loves exploring different cuisines, listening to music, and finding balance by the sea.

Hoda: Career Peer

Hoda is a career peer at the University of Michigan–Dearborn’s Career Services Office, majoring in Communication. Enjoys cooking, baking, painting, and spending time with her cat, Princess. The decision to become a career peer was shaped by her own journey of finding the right major. That experience highlighted the importance of guidance and accessible resources and inspired her to help other students navigate similar challenges. Before becoming a career peer, a meeting with a career coach opened her eyes to opportunities and possibilities across multiple majors that she hadn’t previously considered. As a career peer, she enjoys supporting students with resumes, cover letters, job searches, and interview preparation. Her goal is to encourage students to explore their options with confidence and to remind them that career paths are not always linear, and that’s okay. Helping others through these steps is what motivates her, and she is excited to continue growing her skills.

Miriam: Career Peer

Career Peer Intern Miriam is a junior at the University of Michigan Dearborn, currently pursuing an undergrad psychology degree. She is motivated to work hard and push herself through tough experiences. Miriam began as an intern at Career Services and is very proud to still be here assisting others. Being a Career Peer has introduced Miriam to a whole new world of networking, resumes, and interacting with new people. 
Fun fact about Miriam: Reading and playing with her cat, Leo.

Ransford: Graduate Data & Events Analyst

Ransford is a graduate student majoring in Artificial Intelligence. He’s on a mission to build data-driven solutions that reduce equity and access gaps. As a Graduate Data and Events Analyst, he supports the department by turning student data into clear insights that guide student policy. Ransford feels this role has strengthened his public-speaking confidence and connected him with people across campus, including students, faculty, and staff.

Fun facts about Ransford: loves a good workout, classical music, and watching soccer with family and friends.

Zara: Graduate Data & Events Analyst

Zara is the Graduate Data and Events Analyst with Career Services, where she supports the team by managing graduate outcomes data and coordinating events that connect students with meaningful career opportunities. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Business Analytics with a concentration in Human Resource Management at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and this role aligns perfectly with her degree by allowing her to combine data-driven insights with her passion for people and organizational development.

Fun Facts about Zara: When she’s not diving into spreadsheets, Zara loves exploring new cultures, sharing stories from her unique background, and finding fun ways to bring people together.