This is part of Das Tor’s ongoing series “Student Success Spotlights,” which features the hardworking staff on the Student Success Team at Thunderbird
Hi, everyone! My name is Debby Spano, Career Development Specialist at the Thunderbird Career Management Center (CMC). My past career experience ultimately led me to Thunderbird and makes my role on the CMC team a great fit. For 20 years, I worked as an HR Generalist with a major consumer products company. One year, unfortunately, there was a major decline in the U.S. economy. This caused a major restructuring and downsizing for the company. The workforce was decreased by over 50%. After the dust settled and we had taken care of our employees, the need to cut support staff was addressed. My position was eliminated.
My next career experience then began at Thunderbird. I was a good fit in the Employer Relations side of the Career Management Center because I had been on the other side – as an employer. It was exciting to now be using this experience to service the needs of Thunderbird’s recruiting partners.
Many changes have taken place in my 10 years at Thunderbird, but it truly is a pleasure to be a part of the Student Success Team. The Career Management Center helps students explore their interests and strengths. They also are given guidance regarding career readiness in preparation for interviewing and presenting themselves in a professional manner to employers.
The Employer Relation Team works to connect employers and Thunderbird students. My role in the Employer Relation side of the Career Center is to work with existing employers to create lasting relationships, supplying them with great Thunderbirds for their open opportunities. We nurture relationships year after year to ensure employers want to seek out our students.
I am also involved with building new relationships with employers, introducing them to Thunderbird and our great students. The Career Center hosts lots of different ways for employers and students to interact. I am heavily involved in the planning and hosting of these events.
If students are interested in reaching out to me, the Student Success Team is located on the second floor of the Thunderbird building. You also can reach me at debbie.spano@thunderbird.asu.edu.