Samantha Johnson '15

Program Manager for Youth Preparedness, American Red Cross

Major: Biology (Chemistry minor) 

As an undergrad, I was very fortunate to be a student employee at the Career Center, which gave me easy access to job preparation material I knew I would need after graduation. I had my resumes, cover letters, application responses, and personal statement reviewed with the team. Having my materials reviewed always made my application stronger, and I also developed my ability to job search and interview efficiently. My experience there also provided the opportunity to consider different paths after graduating, such as post-graduate service and the many programs there are to choose from. This led me to my job today! 

It’s sometimes hard to know what path is the right one to take as you are thinking about post-grad life. When I was graduating, I thought my only choice was to go into the workforce. I had never considered post-grad service and knew that the only other option was graduate school down the line. Now I’ve done both and have a job, so everything worked out in the end! It’s important to remember that everyone is on their own career path and yours might look totally different from someone else’s - and that’s okay!

Right after college I did a year of post-graduate service through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps NW/AmeriCorps. I was placed with the American Red Cross of Alaska in Anchorage as the Preparedness and Casework Specialist. The role taught me a lot about flexibility, learning on the job, and being open to new cultures and communities. 

I was so sure I was going to finish my year of post-graduate service and become a Physician Assistant. It’s the career I told myself all through high school and college I would have, so it didn’t matter what I had to do to get there. My experience with the Red Cross during my year of post-grad service really altered that point of view. The projects I worked on and the people and communities I met really spoke to me in a way that medicine never had. So, I went to grad school and got a Master of Science in Disaster Resilience Leadership instead and my career has progressed in ways that I could have never imagined. And most importantly, I really, truly love the work I get to do!

I am currently the Acting Program Manager for Youth Preparedness at the American Red Cross. I support our local chapters as they are implementing our two youth preparedness programs, Prepare with Pedro (K-2^nd grade) and The Pillowcase Project (3^rd-5^th grade). I love being able to support our local program managers and volunteers across the country as they are building partnerships with the communities they are presenting to and educating youth on how to stay safe during the hazard they are most likely to experience in their area.