WHO’s WHO @VCU: Meet Sue Story

Sue Story, director of the University Career Center, began her career as an elementary school teacher. Now she is in charge of a 12- to 13-person staff that is committed to providing career guidance and support to students and recent graduates.

“We provide career advice for students,” Story said. “We help employers find talented VCU students.”

Story was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised on Long Island. She received a bachelor’s degree in history and elementary education from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. After college, she began a career as an elementary school teacher in Middle County, N.Y.

Story began working at VCU 17 years ago as coordinator of the Cooperative Education Program.

Story said she first heard about the position from a classmate in graduate school, Cheryl Melton, director of the co-op program.

“I just thought it would be great to work with college students,” Story said.

She said Melton used to talk in class about her duties with the program, and when she had an opening Story applied and got the job.

Thus, Story became the first coordinator of the Internship Program for the School of Mass Communications in 1991.

Story said the department was testing the position to see if it would work. She worked every Wednesday to help students find internships and graded papers they had written.

Being a director is something that Story knows a lot about. She was assistant director of Off-Campus Programs, associate director the Cooperative Education Program, and associate and interim director of the University Career Center.

Alicia Aroche, associate director of the Career Center says it is fun to work with Story because of her great sense of humor and support.

“On days when the staff feels a little overwhelmed or stressed,” she said. “Story may put on her tiara and walk down the hall and wave and we’ll get a good laugh out of that one.”

Aroche said Story is a great supervisor and recognizes strengths that everyone has in the office. She tries to get everyone to use them to the best of their ability.

“That’s important in any work environment because you want someone that’s going to support you and give you feedback when you need it,” she said.

Katherine Hartwell, front office manager, has worked with Story at the center for a year.

“She is always helpful and always willing to give you appropriate guidance and listen to your concerns,” Hartwell said.

When she is not working she loves to visit her two adult children. One lives in California and the other lives in New York City with Story’s 1-year-old grandson.

She said her goal is to try to mentor younger people that work at the center.

“I would like to do a good job while I am here and help other people find their way in the work and find a career that they can be passionate about,” Story said.