What Can Career Coaching Do for You?
U Career Success coaches meet with students like you one-to-one to share personalized advice to help you focus your career visions and achieve your professional goals.
Coaches can guide you in exploring internship and career opportunities, writing strong resumes and building connections with organizations in art, teaching, entertainment, graphic design, photography, printmaking, film, and more.
First-year student, new Fine Arts major, ready to graduate, or anywhere in between--your coach is ready to prompt you through each stage of your career journey.
Career Coaches Can Help You:
Practice job interviews
Find gig work
Create a unique brand
Meet Our Career Coaches
James Wesson
As a Career Coach for the College of Fine Arts, James Wesson empowers you to pursue meaningful, purpose-driven careers aligned with your true passions. He draws on over a decade of experience as a teacher focused on mentoring and championing students. James can help you customize your resumes and cover letters, advise you on ideal jobs and internships perfectly fitted to your skills and interests, and much more.
James has a bachelor’s of music education and a master’s in education from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Throughout his own career, James has been devoted to creating inclusive spaces for all voices to be heard. He brings this same commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion into his coaching relationships. James was a music teacher for 11 years – instructing classes like Band, Orchestra, and Hip-Hop. Throughout his teaching, he ensured the course content reflected the students and what they wanted to learn about.
Whether seeking a fulfilling first job or exploring possible careers, James makes space to listen, encourage, and guide students toward purposeful career pathways.
My coaching philosophy: My coaching philosophy is to uncover the intersecting passions that drive each student - whether creative expression, social impact, or cultural change - then empower them to pursue careers that match their passions.
Hobbies: James is very passionate about music, and he is always involved in some kind of "music thing” from playing in pit orchestras and community groups to discovering new music and going to concerts. He also loves being outside, playing with his dog, Eisley, searching for good coffee and exploring the city.
Favorite Movie: Empire Strikes Back
Favorite Television Show: The Office
Book Your Appointment Now
Cameron Vakilian
Cameron has been a champion for career success for nearly 10 years. As a career coach for the College of Fine Arts, he is dedicated to helping students find their passion and reach their full potential.
Cameron has a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Communication from the University of Utah and a Masters in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University Bloomington. Starting as viola player at the age of 11, he went on to study music composition and then vocal jazz before discovering his passion for musical theatre. He now regularly performs for various community and semi-professional theatres across Utah.
Cameron also serves as Associate Director for Internships and Career Success for the College of Humanities with a strong background in communication, public relations, social media, and visual design. He is the host/creator of INSPIRE, a podcast that interviews inspiring students and professional on what it takes to design a career. As a coach, Cameron can assist with a range of career-related necessities such as finding or creating an internship, resume review, interview preparation, building career confidence and more.
My coaching philosophy: My coaching philosophy revolves around empowering individuals to define their own success, recognizing the complexity and uniqueness within each person. I guide students in uncovering their inspirations, cultivating interests and skills, setting meaningful goals, and shaping a distinct professional identity. Learn more about my approach on Instagram at @inspirebycameron
Hobbies: Cameron loves all things performing arts, but also has a hobby in fashion, and enjoys designing and sewing clothes in his spare time.
Favorite Movie: The Devil Wears Prada
Favorite Television Show: RuPaul’s Drag Race
Career Resources
Have an online interview? Our Career Studio rooms are equipped with proper lighting, camera, sound, microphone, and backdrop.
Stop by GARFF 1300 to borrow complimentary professional clothes for that important interview, career fair, etc.
Get a professional headshot taken to use on your LinkedIn profile, presentations, and more.