Jim Franklin, Director

Jim.Franklin@mccombs.utexas.edu
512-471-3527

Jim earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School, and is a proud 1993 Texas MPA graduate. He holds dual CPA certifications in Texas and California. His professional experience includes roles with RJR/Nabisco, Deloitte and the U.S. Department of the Treasury-Internal Revenue Service.
 
As the Director of the MPA program and career services, Jim represents Career Services to various university and employer audiences. He provides general oversight of the department's career development and employer relations programs.

• Coordinates the Accounting Careers Exploration  (ACC 151) course
• Serves as the primary contact for employer collaboration with accounting faculty
• Assists in managing employer relationships

Vinh Nguyen, Assistant Director, MPA Career Services

Vinh.Nguyen@mccombs.utexas.edu
512-232-3795

Vinh Nguyen is a full-time career consultant for the MPA program. He joined the McCombs School of Business in 2004 to help start up MPA Career Services. In 2008, he was awarded McCombs’ Staff Excellence Award for Outstanding Service to Constituents. Prior to McCombs, he worked with the American Red Cross of Central Texas as its director for volunteer services and with Motorola on its university relations team.

Vinh received his undergraduate degree in philosophy (1999) and in rhetoric and writing (2010). He is a full-time student in the Graduate Portfolio Program in Dispute Resolution (2013) and Master in Higher Education Administration (2013) programs.

Vinh enjoys volunteering. For the American Red Cross volunteer, he has served as a shelter manager for the several disasters. For the Vietnamese Bilingual Program—which was at Walnut Creek Elementary and now at Summitt Elementary—he has served as a volunteer since 1997 in a variety of capacities: mentor, tutor, NFL flag football coach, and martial arts and lion dance instructor. He currently serves as a board member on the Vietnamese Education Foundation, which provides college scholarships.

• Consults with students in the career development and job search processes
• Coordinates and presents MPA career workshops and events including: Networking Reception, Mock Interview Marathon,  Industry Night
• Advises MPA Council officers and supervises career consulting assistants
• Co-teaches the Accounting Careers Exploration course
• Conducts employer outreach and consults employers on strategies for recruiting MPA students
• Develops career resource materials

Schedule an appointment with Vinh. 

Michelle Polkinghorn, Career Consultant

Michelle.Polkinghorn@mccombs.utexas.edu
512-232-2482

Michelle consults with students on career planning and job search strategies, coordinates and presents career programs, and works with employers to help maximize their recruiting efforts. She has nearly nine years of experience in career services at private and public universities. Michelle has helped hundreds of college students explore career options and navigate the job search. She holds a Master of Education in Counseling and Guidance with an emphasis in Student Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Michelle is certified by the Protocol School of Washington as a Corporate Etiquette and International Protocol Consultant, and recognized by the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches as a Certified Professional Resume Writer. Her cutting-edge knowledge of career development and background as an educator inform Michelle’s ability to create and deliver career workshops suited to any learning style.

• Consults with students in the career development and job search processes
• Coordinates and presents MPA career workshops and events including: Career Fair, Etiquette Dinner, and Outclass the Competition
• Oversees the MPA International Connection and Peer Career Consulting programs
• Co-teaches the Accounting Careers Exploration course
• Conducts employer outreach and consults employers on strategies for recruiting MPA students
• Develops career resource materials

Schedule an appointment with Michelle.

Student Staff

Chris Haskell, Career Consulting Intern
Walk-in Hours:
Tuesday: 10 - 11 a.m.
Wednesday: 3 - 4 p.m.
Thursday: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. – Noon
Schedule an appointment with Chris.  

 
Courtney Crosby, Peer Career Consultant
Walk-in Hours:
Monday:  Noon – 4 p.m.
Wednesday: Noon – 4 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Jamal Deek, Peer Career Consultant
Walk-in Hours:
Monday: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Thursday: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Francisco Loredo, Career Consultant Assistant
MPA Council
MPA Student Planner
MPA Internship Resume Book

Ashley Wallace, Career Consultant Assistant
MPA Mock Interview Marathon
McCombs Global Career Fair
MPA Industry Internship Program




Taylor Atsalis, Career Consultant Assistant
iMPA Orientation
MPA Speed-Networking Reception