By Caitlin Joyce ’20

Looking to get ahead in her career, business major Maya Walker ’19 turned to the Alumni Career Mentor program for guidance. Through the program she met Candace Yaeger ’07, who has since put her on a path to success.  

The Office of Career Education, in partnership with Alumni Relations and the Honors Program, provides professional insight, career exploration, and a personal connection to undergraduate and graduate students through an alumni mentor for the duration of their time at Arcadia.

Yaeger, who graduated from Arcadia with a degree in Psychology and Art Therapy, operates her own career and business services, Candace Yaeger Coaching, that helps entrepreneurs achieve their own definition of “wild success.” Yaeger uses this goal-oriented counseling and her Master of Business Administration from Drexel University to help clients maximize their personal potential.

As a part of the Alumni Career Mentor program, Yaeger and Walker meet frequently during the academic year and schedule calls when Walker returns to her home in Colorado for the summers. For Walker, the best part of the mentorship is having a professional by her side who not only supports her, but helps narrow her focus into achievable goals to benefit her future.

“She reminds me a lot of my older sister who has an entrepreneur spirit, so I instantly felt that connection because she seemed very familiar to me,” said Walker. “The most helpful part of the experience is just having someone to talk with me about any conflicts as I enter the ‘adulting’ life.”

“In my work, I see a lot of people who have ended up living in default,” said Yaeger. “In working with Maya, I am often pulling from my client’s experiences when helping her walk through certain situations or crossroads. I try to be the mentor I never had.”

For more information on the Alumni Career Mentor program, go to the Arcadia website.