Meet the Experts in Your Corner

Chad Ellsworth ’04 is an author, coach and speaker who helps people navigate career transitions, job searches and professional growth. He also serves as associate director of the Career Center at Carleton College, where he supports others in finding meaningful paths forward.

“A career transition or job search can be a grind, but being able to be a bit of a co-pilot in the process, offer insights, promote accountability, etc. is meaningful work,” says Ellsworth. One of my colleagues in the Career Center often points out that it is not just ‘hard work,’ but ‘heart work,’ too.” 

His own experience with coaching helped him turn a decade-long goal of writing a book into a 60,000-plus-word manuscript in less than a year. Ellsworth encourages Terps navigating a job search to “plan the work, and work the plan.” Rather than relying on endless online applications, he recommends building a targeted list of organizations and roles, then making the human connections that can open doors.

Jessica Roffe ’13 knows firsthand how much a Terp education can shape a career. A lifelong Terp who grew up attending Maryland basketball games with her father, Roffe has spent her entire professional career at UMD and now serves as associate director of the QUEST Honors Program. She is also the founder of Career Beginnings LLC.

Roffe’s coaching philosophy is rooted in the guidance she received from mentors and advisors during her time as a student. “I learned about higher education and student affairs from my psychology advisor Steve Young and he helped me immensely with learning about the field and applying to graduate school,” she says. “I wouldn't be where I am today without him and the other advisors.”

Today, she encourages Terps to make the most of the career resources available to them— from career fairs and networking events to Terrapins Connect. Her biggest piece of advice? “ It's up to you to be proactive, reach out, and build connections.” 

Michael Seelman ’94 is the CEO of Leadership Coach Group, where he helps professionals recognize their strengths, identify opportunities for growth and become stronger leaders.

Seelman believes coaching provides something everyone can benefit from. “It increases awareness of leadership strengths and gaps and provides a friendly, expert partner for growth,” he explains.

His advice for today’s professionals is to stay curious and pay attention to technology trends that could shape the future of their careers. 

A proud Terp, Seelman has stayed connected to his connections from UMD, and uses Coaches Corner to do the same for the next generation. “Decades later I still employ the knowledge I gained and enjoy time with professors and friends I met as a UMD student,” he says.

Dr. Joi Brown ’01 is an HR leader, CEO of 3eee Consulting and a career and leadership coach who supports students, recent graduates and professionals recognize their strengths, build their confidence and prepare for what comes next.

Brown’s coaching philosophy is grounded in a simple idea: “sometimes we need someone who can help us see the possibilities we may not yet see in ourselves,” she says. Brown believes a great coach provides a safe space to explore goals, challenge assumptions, develop strategies and stay accountable, all lessons shaped by the coaches and mentors who supported her throughout her own career.

Her connection to this work goes all the way back to her time as a UMD student, when she interned at the Office of Personnel Management and began sharing federal career opportunities and resume advice with classmates. Today, she sees coaching as a full-circle opportunity to help other Terps navigate their own professional journeys.

“Never underestimate the power of your network and the relationships you build along your career journey,” she says.