Laura Jackson (she/her) is the front desk coordinator/executive assistant in the University Career Center. She provides administrative support for the executive director, Career Center staff, and students. Her goal is to lift the Career Center staff up so they can make the best impact on UO students possible. As supervisor of the student workers at the front desk, she intends to empower students to realize their own potential and be career ready once they graduate.

This is Laura’s first step into higher education as a career. She graduated from California State University Stanislaus in 2013 with a BA in communication studies and a minor in theatre arts. She’s made full use of her degree with a varied career history. From being a Disneyland cast member to an educator at an aquarium and working in healthcare improvement, Laura has tried out many different roles before coming to work at the University of Oregon.

Growing up on the central coast of California and living in Southern California for many years, Laura is enjoying her time here in Oregon. She loves having four seasons (compared to California’s one—maybe two—seasons) and exploring what this awesome state has to offer. She grew up doing theater and has continued being on stage or working backstage her whole life. When she’s not in rehearsals, Laura likes to travel, go to the beach, or just hang out at home with her husband, cat, and dog. She wants students to know that, like hers, their career path doesn’t have to be one straight line. Sometimes things work out differently and everyone’s journey and timeline are different.