Meet The Advisors

Cristina has been with the institution since 2020, providing career and professional development support to the Healthcare & Wellness Career Community and Teacher Education graduate students. Her goal when working with students is to support them in cultivating and achieving their professional goals, enabling them to take the next steps in their career journeys with confidence.

Before transitioning into higher education, Cristina worked in Human Services, supporting adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in achieving meaningful employment. She holds advanced degrees in psychology and community studies, as well as a graduate certificate in data science.

 What does Cristina wish she knew about career development when she was in undergrad?

In short – anything. I had decent grades and was fairly involved on campus, and like many students, assumed that this alone translated to career readiness. The truth is that just having a Bachelor’s degree isn’t enough to prepare you for the working world. Professional skills (interviewing, networking, skill marketing, etc.) need to be developed and refined. So take advantage of career services early and often – don’t be like young me!

Sarah joined Merrimack in 2011 and provides career advising and education to undergraduate students in the Education & Social Policy Career Community.  Prior to many years working in career development, Sarah worked in admissions at both the University of Hartford and Merrimack College. After starting her master’s degree she realized she wanted to work more closely with students, and transitioned to focus on career advising.

Sarah received a master of education in higher education from Merrimack College and a bachelor of arts in communication from the University of Hartford.

What does Sarah wish she knew about career development when she was in college?  

I wish I had utilized my career center much earlier! I didn’t even think to do an internship until right before my senior year. I ended up not liking the career field I thought I would end up working in. This caused me to reevaluate my personal skills, values and strengths. Ultimately, this led me to a career that I love, but I wish I had explored this earlier in my college career, so I could have gotten even more experience and internships before I graduated.

Laura joined Merrimack in the Spring of 2013 and provides comprehensive career guidance and support to students in the STEM Career Community and graduate students across the Education & Social Policy Career Community.  Prior to joining Merrimack, Laura worked as a Student Services Coordinator at a private college planning company guiding high school students and families through the college application and admissions process.  Laura earned her BA in Human Development from Boston College and an MS in Counseling from Fitchburg State University.  Laura is also a CCE credentialed Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) and licensed School Counselor.

What does Laura wish she knew about career development when she was in college?  

I wished that I had learned about the power of networking and how helpful informational interviews can be.  Had I known, I think I would have been able to make much more informed career decisions for myself.  I try to impart this knowledge to my students and stress the importance of career exploration early on and throughout the four years so that when they graduate they feel confident and ready to take the next steps towards their future career.

Stephanie joined Merrimack’s career advising team in 2022 and works with students in the Arts, Communication & Society Career Community and graduate students in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She uses a holistic advising approach to guide students towards the career path that is the best fit for them and is passionate about helping her students find careers and internships within arts and science fields.

Stephanie is a Double Warrior and received a bachelor’s degree in communication and media and a master’s of education in higher education from Merrimack. Before coming to Merrimack as a career advisor, she was an academic advisor for college students and students in 6th-12th grade. 

What does Stephanie wish she knew about career development when she was in college?  

I wish I had taken advantage of more opportunities offered by the O’Brien Center when I was an undergraduate. Working with my career advisor was helpful, but I think I could have expanded my knowledge of career development and improved my skills even more by attending more events and workshops. 

There are so many ways that students can expand their network and build their professional development skills to help them become a strong job applicant, whether it’s attending a career night or doing research on careers using Merrimack’s online resources. I tell my students that they’re only in college for a short time, so it’s important that they take advantage of all the opportunities available to them.

Michael joined Merrimack’s professional staff in August 2022 after serving in higher education at Suffolk University in Boston for over 5 years. At Suffolk Michael focused on student employment and faculty support. On campus, Michael supports students in the Business, Finance & Management Career Community.

Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA.

What is most important about career development that you learned in college?

While in college I learned it’s never too early to start thinking about your future. My alma mater offered numerous workshops and events focusing on personal growth and career development. While I did attend a couple of these helpful events, I wish I attended all of them! Learning from my mistakes, it’s great to be in a position to encourage current students to take advantage of all the O’Brien Center for Career Development has to offer.

Noelle joined Merrimack in the fall of 2025 as a Career Advising Graduate Fellow. She provides assistance for career advising drop in hours for all majors. Her goal at Merrimack is to provide students with all of the necessary tools needed to thrive in their future careers and endeavors.

Prior to joining Merrimack, Noelle worked as a triage mental health counselor for clients struggling with substance dependency issues and triaged behavioral health consultations for a number of hospitals. Noelle earned her bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from University of Massachusetts Lowell. She is currently pursuing her masters degree at Merrimack College in clinical mental health counseling. 

 What does Noelle wish she knew about career development when she was in college?

I wish I knew how valuable it was to attend different career events and workshops during my undergrad studies. At the end of my senior year was the first time I had my resume reviewed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, that’s the purpose of school is to learn and grow! I will always encourage students to put themselves out of their comfort zone in order to gain experience or knowledge in an area they may not have before!

Emma joined Merrimack in the fall of 2025 as a career advising graduate fellow. She assists with all things career advising through 1:1 appointments and drop-in hours. Her goal at Merrimack is to empower students with the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to excel in their future careers and pursuits.

This past spring, Emma graduated from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI with a bachelor’s in criminal justice while also interning at the Department of Homeland Security in Providence.  She is currently pursuing her master’s in criminal justice at Merrimack College in with a concentration in crime analytics. Her goal is to work in federal law enforcement one day.

What does Emma wish she knew about career development when she was in college?

I wish I had known earlier that career development is an ongoing journey rather than a single decision, and that it’s completely normal not to have everything figured out right away. I’ve realized how much confidence comes from exploring different paths, seeking out hands-on experiences, and taking advantage of career resources well before senior year. Most importantly, I wish I had understood the value of building meaningful connections early on, as those relationships can open doors, provide clarity, and make the transition from college to the professional world far smoother.