Meet the Eastin Center director, Robin Darmon
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Media Contact: Bailey Stacy | Communications Coordinator, Marketing & Communications | 405-744-2700 | bailey.stacy@okstate.edu
Is there one thing in your life that can always be improved and polished? For me, it’s my presenting skills and interview techniques. I have learned that there will be never one presentation that is the exact same. The audience changes, my topics change, the market changes, “norms” change, etc. I will also never go through an interview that is like any of the ones I have had before. The position I am applying for changes, the questions I am asked change among interviewers, my level of experience changes, etc. Overall, you can never be too prepared and READY for presentations and interviews.
Here within the Spears School of Business, we have an entire center devoted to helping undergraduate students with their resumes, interview prep, job searches, writing skills for cover letters, a mentoring program and more! This is the Eastin Center for Career Readiness. It is located on the 1st floor of Spears and is home to our academic advisors, career coaches, mentoring program coordinator, and the new Eastin Center director, Robin Darmon.
Darmon is from Charleston, Illinois. She has a bachelor's degree in education from Greenville University and an MBA in marketing from Amberton University. I asked Darmon a list of questions to get to know her better and here is what she had to say.
What was your first job ever?
Mowing lawns, cleaning houses and babysitting at the age of 14!
What was your first internship (if you had one) and where was it?
I participated in a student teaching assignment for a semester during my senior year
in Southern Illinois.
What was your first full-time job/first job out of college?
I taught third grade in a small farming community in Central Illinois. It was a great
experience!
Where all have worked before becoming Director?
I’ve worked with some incredible schools and institutions at all levels of education
– elementary schools in Illinois and Dallas, French business universities, and two
universities in San Diego. Now working at the Spears School of Business at OSU is
the icing on my career! As a career services professional, I’ve worked at ESGCI Paris,
the HEC School of Management in Paris, France, the University of California San Diego
and most recently the University of San Diego.
Why did you want to become Director of the Eastin Center?
I was so impressed with the fact that career readiness is embedded in the curriculum. Offering
students strong academics coupled with career preparation is essential to succeed
in the workplace and pursue a meaningful career. To see a school of business support
student success by making it a degree requirement impressed me. I love, too, the focus
on personal skills and developing the whole person. And the culture at Oklahoma State
University is so appealing, so fun. The alumni at OSU are so committed, so enthusiastic. I
wanted to be a part of this community!
What advice would you tell freshman and sophomores who are new to Spears and Oklahoma
State, how to start getting prepared for internships/interviews?
Get involved! Join a club. Participate in the mentorship program. Attend events, career
fairs, expos. Meet with a career counselor in the Eastin Center and use them as a
sounding board as you explore what you like, what you don’t, and where you think you
want to put your energy professionally. We’re here to support you no matter where
you’re at in the career search process. Just come see us!
What career/interview prep advice would you tell juniors/seniors who are applying
for internships/jobs for post graduation?
Participating in an internship is the most important thing. Experiment. Try out a
career. Get experience. And if you suspect that this isn’t quite the “fit” you were
hoping for, we’re here to help you create a strategy for a career plan that puts you
on the path that you’re interested in. But the most important thing is to apply for
internships and “test drive” a career. Come see the Eastin Center team – we’ll help
you navigate the internship application process!
Would you encourage students to move to a different city/state for an internship/job
that is out of their comfort zone?
I would but I acknowledge that it’s not for everyone. You have to assess your own
personal situation and see what’s best for you given your circumstances. I do think
that at the very least, if you can intern in a new city or region it’s just a great
opportunity to view the world from a new perspective. And of course, the study abroad
programs are a great way to see another way of life. Anything that can expand our
learning opportunities is always a good thing! Meeting people from different parts
of the U.S. or the world is exciting. I would say if you can, never turn down an opportunity
to travel.
What hobbies do you have?
I love running, hiking, and discovering new places to eat. But my favorite hobby is
playing with my beautiful granddaughters Mary Rose and Joya. They make me laugh so
hard – they’re way too much fun!
Favorite documentaries?
Anything that is about World War II. My husband and I are big WWII history buffs.
Favorite meal?
That’s so hard! I love to eat! One meal I adore is a French dish called Confit de
Canard that is truly decadent. But wonderful!
Story By: Alexis Hightower | alexis.hightower@okstate.edu