Published: Dec. 1, 2009

lea alvarado

Alums have been lining up in front of the office of new Career Services alumni career counselor Lea Alvarado, seated in front. Photo by Casey A. Cass

When Lea Alvarado began her new job as alumni career counselor at CU-Boulder in August, the phone started ringing off the hook.

She wouldn’t have it any other way in her role as the first alumni-specific staffer at Career Services. She aims to counsel, coach and create special programs for alumni at all levels, including serving as a resource for alumni looking to hire other Buffs. Her position was created as a result of an Alumni Association and Career Services partnership fostered by the new Forever Buffs program.

One thing that makes her job easy is many employers understand the strength and value of a CU degree. Despite the tough economic times, CU-Boulder ranks seventh among state universities for salary potential and second among western colleges (public and private), according to PayScale, a market leader in global online compensation data.

“If you need career support or guidance, no matter where you are in the U.S., please contact me,” Alvarado says. “My goal is to provide counseling and services that will help alumni navigate their way through these difficult economic times.”