Barbara Hewitt

Executive Director

she/hers

Barbara joined Penn Career Services in 1998 and has served as the Executive Director since 2018. She currently leads the entire office as well as advises students and alumni interested in pursuing MBAs.  Prior to becoming Executive Director, Barbara served as a Career Adviser to students in the College of Arts and Sciences and in Wharton. Barbara holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dickinson College with majors in Psychology and Spanish, a masters in Counseling from Shippensburg University, and an EdD in Higher Education Administration from Penn.

Barbara believes strongly in the power of education to change lives and indeed the world, and has enjoyed focusing her career on helping students and alumni to take what they have learned while in school to contribute to society in their own unique ways.   Away from the office, Barbara spends time with her two college-aged daughters and husband, as well as a motley collection of furry friends including a shi zhu/ yorkie dog, a cat, and four occasionally noisy guinea pigs (at least when it’s their dinner time!).

All Posts

What Is Environmental Law?

Many agencies and government departments use environmental law services to protect their interests. So do businesses, advocacy organizations, and law firms that represent individuals.

Environmental law is a growing field with a broad scope of work that encompasses issues related …

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Interviewing While Non-Binary | Tips for Job Hunting with Confidence

For a growing number of individuals publicly identifying as non-binary, the job search and application process can be filled with a lot of unknowns. In addition to preparing for interview questions and wondering if you’ll connect with the hiring manager, …

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Making the Most of Career Services and Timing Your Search!

Welcome to the start of a new academic year!  The Career Services team looks forward to accompanying both new and returning students on their career journeys.  Depending on your particular path, your timeline might look quite different from your peers. …

By Barbara Hewitt
Barbara Hewitt Executive Director
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Hard Work Alone Doesn’t Get Women Promoted — But Here’s What Will

Running Fairygodboss, I hear a lot of opinions about what women should do in order to be successful.

Most of it is amazingly helpful and thoughtful. But sometimes, I hear things that are well-intentioned but worrisome (and potentially misleading) in …

By Ivy Exec
Ivy Exec is your dedicated career development resource.
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Ask Alexis | Should I Include Potentially Controversial Volunteer Experience On My Resume?

Dear Ask Alexis,

Over the last few years, I’ve been doing quite a bit of volunteering. I’m concerned, however, that some of my stints may be just a little controversial depending on the organization I’m applying to work for now …

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What Autistic Employees Actually Want Their Coworkers to Know and Do

I learned the art of instant personality change early in my career. As a bookstore manager in my early 20s, I would morph from a quiet loner-with-a-book into an outgoing, social person-in-charge each time I walked through the glass doors …

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Congratulations to our 2022 Graduates!

Career Services extends our warmest congratulations to all of our 2022 graduates.  Your time at Penn has certainly been unique and challenging in many ways – from leaping into remote learning in March of 2020, to testing and quarantining when needed …

By Barbara Hewitt
Barbara Hewitt Executive Director
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How to Find Organizations Committed to DEI Values

Most social-impact organizations today express a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

The National Council of Nonprofits encourages organizations to not only articulate their values, but to be guided by them and to integrate them into their daily operations. …

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Networking Emails for the Holiday Season | Template Toolbox

Illustration by Marian Blair

This time of year, your mailbox may be full of notes from friends and family members sharing updates on their lives and wishing you a happy holidays. But it’s important to remember that reconnecting during this …

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How to Write a Cover Letter | 10 Tips for Getting Noticed

Illustration by Marian Blair

The. Dreaded. Cover. Letter.

We all hope to find ways to stand out during our job search, and how best to convey “I’m perfect for this job!” to prospective employers. We also know that taking the …

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