“I’m charged with making sure we have strong relations with employers for our students, to facilitate internships and job placement opportunities,” says Jenn Walker Wall ’05, Associate Director of Employer Relations at Simmons. “I’m working with faculty who have done a tremendous amount of work in this area. I need to understand where our students are in businesses and organizations, mostly in Boston, and see where we can build stronger partnerships and cross-pollinate opportunities across disciplines, for all of our students.”
Having started in August 2025, most of Walker Wall’s work has been focused internally, but she looks forward to working with external partners in the new year. “We’re also in the process of centralizing student internship data,” says Walker Wall. “We want to know what our students are looking for, where they are thriving, and how we can maximize their opportunities.”
Prior to her new role at Simmons, Walker Wall spent 11 years as a career coach and consultant, guiding her clients through hyper-competitive job markets. “After graduate school, I thought about launching a business around program evaluation,” she recalls, “but people were asking for help with their resumes and careers, so I pivoted to leveraging my background in hiring and really haven't looked back.”
As a career coach, Walker Wall was always excited to work with Simmons alumnae/i. “They were great champions of my business and offered excellent referrals. That’s how I feel as an alumnae/i — I want to help you and cheer you on, and say your name when you’re not in the room.”
She hopes to create an infrastructure for mentorship at Simmons, breaking down barriers for students to connect directly with alumnae/i. “The Simmons community is filled with some of the most supportive and thoughtful people I know,” she says. “I am really looking forward to creating opportunities for [students and alumnae/i] to connect more deeply with one another.”
Gaining Experience Through Work and Study
“When I reflect on my own experience at Simmons, I appreciate that I had an incredibly thorough, rigorous academic training,” says Walker Wall, who earned her bachelor’s in sociology. “I wanted an education that would help me do good work in the world.”
She was also drawn to sociology for the breadth of opportunities it offered. “In addition to being great preparation for research roles, it was also the best foundation for running a business,” she says. “You’re constantly collecting and analyzing data, operationalizing your insights, and balancing the needs of the business with your team and customers.”
Her current role at Simmons is “definitely an exercise in applied sociology,” says Walker Wall. “I get to take what works at an individual level and scale it at an institutional level. We're collecting a lot of data and developing an Office around the needs of students, employers, faculty, and others across the University.”
In addition to her course of study, Walker Wall worked in undergraduate admissions throughout her four years at Simmons. “I had a powerful combination of study and work experience, which made it easier for me to get a job after graduating.”
Career Advice for Simmons Students
Walker Wall encourages students to look for on or off-campus employment opportunities, regardless of whether they have received work study funds. “Take advantage of being in Boston with applied learning opportunities, whether a job or an internship. These are foundational experiences that can set you apart when you’re on the job market.”
As for the types of jobs available to college students, she advises keeping an open mind. “There is no such thing as experience that doesn’t matter,” she says. “Everyone starts in a pretty unglamorous place. You could be doing something that feels very basic and not aligned with your field, but it shows that you are a trustworthy person. That is the foundation of anyone’s career.”
She recalls, “My first job in Admissions was stuffing envelopes for prospective students, but by the time I left, I was arranging student tours and talking to families.”
While she admits that the post-graduation job search can be daunting, she encourages current students to start early. “What are your target roles?” she asks. “Figure out who to connect with to prepare for those positions. Give yourself time to prepare, so you don’t feel pressured to say yes to the first offer.”
If you find a great job listing that’s already been filled, you can still do a lot with that information. “Take it as evidence that the job you want exists.”
You can also prepare in advance by booking sessions for mock interviews and resume reviews. “Schedule more than one mock interview,” says Walker Wall. “Repetition over time makes the process easier to navigate.”
Walker Wall is excited about the opportunity to guide Simmons students. “My own experience at Simmons was completely transformative, in the best way possible,” she says. “That's why so much of my own professional experience has been at colleges and universities, and it's why I was excited to return to Simmons — I wanted to be a part of that transformation for others.”