V Kelley provides one-on-one career support for RIC nursing, social work and education students.
If you’re greeted by a pleasant face in the lobby of the School of Social Work, the School of Education or the Zvart Onanian School of Nursing, it’s probably V Kelley, one of RIC’s new career specialists.
Hired this past fall by RIC’s Career & Life Design Center, Kelley’s role in your academic journey is to help you figure out the right career for you and to set you up for success in your next job or internship.
“Wait,” you might say. “Social work, education and nursing majors already know what they want to do, don’t they?”
Yes … and no.
Yes, these areas are specialized fields; however, there are many jobs within these fields that you may not be aware of, says Kelley.
For instance, did you know that there’s an area of social work called veterinary social work? How about occupational social work? Kelley has that kind of information.
“At the Career & Life Design Center, we have information that may not be commonly known,” she says, “which is why career exploration is a part of our services. We have tools to help you explore the full range of careers in your field.”
Kelley can also help you strategize a plan to achieve your career goals; provide job search support, including resume writing; provide interview support, coaching you on interviewing techniques that will help you succeed in job interviews; offer advice on how to advance within your current career or navigate career transitions; and she can administer career assessments.
A transplant from Eugene, Oregon, Kelley was a business and employment specialist for the state of Oregon’s Employment Department. There, she did similar work, helping individuals navigate career transitions, build skills and connect with meaningful careers. Her clients ranged in age from 18 to retirees.
Kelley earned her M.B.A. in 2024, with a concentration in sustainable and environmental compliance, and her B.S. in 2021 in applied business, economics and society.
“My interest is in building a sustainable workforce,” she says. “If you’re self-sustainable in your career, it means you’re using the skills you have to go further in your career.”
Let V help you take the next steps beyond a degree. She’s not only extremely knowledgeable, she’s got a lot of creative solutions up her sleeve (along with some really cool tattoos). Her humor allows her to quickly build rapport with her clients, and, on her down time, she’s an avid gamer.
Look for her email blasts and workshops posted on RIConnect and Handshake or just stop by to say hello if you see her in the lobby of your school.
If you have a career question, V Kelley is the best place to start. Though she is liaison for the nursing, education and social work schools, she can meet with any student, including those who are undecided on a major.
Make an appointment with V Kelley or any of the career specialists at RIC’s Career & Life Design Center, (401) 456-8031. Current undergraduate students can also schedule an appointment on Starfish, while grad students and alumni use Handshake.