Dr. Chris Timm, associate director of employer experience and outreach in the Business Career Center at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business, received the highest honor awarded to career services professionals at Big Ten schools: the David S. Bechtel Award for Outstanding Career Services Professional. After a unanimous vote by the awards committee, Timm was honored at the HireBig10+ Consortium annual conference June 12, in Allerton, Wisconsin.
 
The award is given to experienced professionals who have made a significant impact on the career services profession, said Dr. Rachel Larson, director of the Business Career Center, who nominated Timm for the award. Criteria include: Demonstrating dedication and excellent service to students and the career services community, supporting students and colleagues, as well as active involvement in the profession and significant or innovative programming at the campus level and beyond.
 
“Chris Timm’s innovative thinking, work ethic, dedication to students and willingness to be a team player and mentor to those with whom she works have made her indispensable. She has made an impact on career services both at Nebraska and nationally,” Larson wrote in her nomination.
 
Timm said she was honored to have been nominated and receive the award. But the work she does each day is rewarding to her as well – each day helping match student talents with employer needs in Nebraska and beyond.
 
“Working in career services is such a great profession, as I have the opportunity to help people dream about possibilities and then help make the connections. I love the times when I am talking with a student about some idea and then I remember hearing about an employer doing exactly that type of work,” Timm said.
 
She began working in the university’s career services office at Nebraska in 1994, leading efforts there and later in the Business Career Center. In that time, she has spoken at national conferences and mentored many students and university employees, including then-graduate assistant Larson.
 
“Chris laid a strong foundation for my future career. At least four of her past supervisees are now directors, which is a testament to her mentorship. I see Chris as a leader and mentor I strive to emulate,” Larson said. “We are lucky to have her at the Business Career Center at Nebraska.”
 
Among her roles at Nebraska Business, Timm plans career expeditions for students to meet employers and alumni in various cities, organizes Employer Partners Day and teaches courses in career development and job search strategies.
 
“This profession is filled with such talented people. I have enjoyed both learning from others through professional organizations, committees and conversations as well as mentoring individuals to develop their skills and become leaders in their industry,” Timm said.
 
The Hire Big 10+ Consortium is a network of career services professionals from Big Ten schools as well as DePaul University, the University of Chicago and University of Notre Dame. Past winners of the David S. Bechtel Award include presidents of the National Association of College and Employers and National Career Development Association.
 
To learn more about the Business Career Center, visit: https://business.unl.edu/careers.  Published: July 2, 2018