Michael Williams comes to the University of Iowa from Dallas, Texas, after four years with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.  Michael's career has been focused on recruitment, retention, and talent identification across several industries: sales; secondary education; and academic medicine.  Michael received his MBA from Texas Christian University (TCU) and his BS in Management and Marketing from Tulane University.  He has lived and worked across the entire country, calling Michigan, Louisiana, North Carolina, California, Idaho, Texas, and now Iowa, home.

A couple of fun facts about Michael: He is expecting his first child in the next couple of weeks, and he got his start in improv comedy with Second City at the age of 15. Although he unfortunately did not get the role, he was asked to audition for the part of young Austin Powers in the third Austin Powers movie.

Join Ellen Bartkowiak, Career Coach and President of EllenCoaching, on Wednesday, October 15, at 5:15 p.m. for a webinar presented by Career Services. Ellen has had the opportunity to work with thousands of working professional students throughout their career journey and she understands their needs. To register for the event, send an email to  [email protected].

Webinar summary: Whether you are happy where you are or are thinking of your future, let us help you leverage your MBA.  In today's economy, you need to be in the driver's seat.  Learn the strategies of managing your career, be proactive (rather than reactive) in your strategic plan, and leave the session being able to answer the question,  "What will you do with that MBA once you graduate?"

We invite you to set up a 25-minute "chat" with one of our Career Coaches. This short conversation may be all you need to move ahead or it may be the first step in a plan we design together. These coaching chats may take place between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and you may participate via telephone or SKYPE. Please email [email protected] with your interest and preferred time(s). We look forward to your participation!

Everyone has a brand, and anyone can be a strong brand. It doesn't involve changing your personality; you can be an introvert or extrovert. And it's definitely not about trying to be something you're not. The difference between one personal brand and another is that the person with a strong brand utilizes his or her special qualities to make a difference in the lives of others. Read that last sentence again, because it is the foundation upon which a strong personal brand is built. Using one's values and distinctive qualities to make a difference for others is the core ethos of strong, thriving personal brands.

- Authors: David McNally and Karl D. Speak