Caedyn Busche
Assistant Director & Career Consultant
College of Fine Arts
What is your favorite part about working at the CPDC?
I really enjoy seeing how accomplished and driven CMU students are. The CPDC staff are all so fun to work with and learn from, and I really appreciate being around such a supportive group of people.
What is your most interesting career story?
Once I worked with a famous actor’s son on his career trajectory in the event that acting didn’t work out.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Spontaneous, boisterous, and open-ended!
What is your favorite TV show at the moment?
I’m pretty late to the game, but I’m currently watching “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” I’m only on season two; I’m trying to pace myself. I love Andy Samberg. I think he’s really funny.
What would the title of your autobiography be?
Cautiously Optimistic: Throwing Myself to the Wind
If you could have a song play every time you enter a room, what would it be?
“I Don’t Care” by Fall Out Boy. They’re my favorite band.
What do you like to do for fun?
I am a huge fan of knitting, needle felting, and other fiber crafts. I’m currently working on needlefelting a unicorn [sturdy enough] to pose. I love doing DIY projects of all sorts. I also enjoy going to farmers markets, craft fairs, and museums of all types.
What does your dream house look like?
It would need to be brick exterior with a hardwood interior and exposed beams. I definitely want a library, a pool, and a large enough space to throw dinner parties.
What fashion trend would you bring back?
I would bring back long sleeve underneath T-shirts and studded belts.
Do you have any advice for current students?
Don’t take the hard things too seriously. You got through your worst days already and you can get through anything now.
If you were the CEO of a company, what is one thing you would make compulsory and what would you ban from the office?
If I were the CEO of a company, one compulsory rule [I’d make] would be, if you have a pet, you must bring them to work! I would ban the inability to work in a flexible environment (i.e., work at home, outside, etc.). I think it is important that we start to reimagine the idea of work. It’s something you do; not the entirety of your identity.
Can you describe your life using movie titles?
(*whisper* I don’t watch movies *laughs*) “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” -- or you know what, I’ll choose my favorite movie, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”
If someone made a movie about your life, who would you want to play you?
If someone made a movie about me, I would want to be played by Rebel Wilson. She’s hilarious and has a random sense of humor like I do
What is one question you love being asked?
One question I love being asked is “What is the best thing that I could be given as a gift?” and the answer is anything homemade. I’m really into DIY projects and handmade things that other people put the time and effort into making for me. Other than that, anything that smells good, like lotions, soaps, and candles.
Katelyn Livingston
Senior Assistant Director & Career Consultant
School of Computer Science
What’s your favorite part about working at the CPDC?
I would say it’s twofold. First, getting to interact with such smart and wonderful students on a daily basis and second, working with the staff and the teams here. Everyone is just super friendly and willing to help each other out.
What’s your most interesting career story?
I worked for a local Pittsburgh nonprofit called Beverly’s Birthdays, which provides birthday parties and gifts for the homeless and families in need, and we received a lot of national news coverage during my time there. We were featured everywhere from national news stations to People magazine and just seeing the impact that it had on the growth of organization was really exciting and interesting.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Personable. Explorer. Talkative.
What’s your favorite TV show at the moment?
I would say Schitt’s Creek is my favorite at the moment, but not of all time.
What would the title of your autobiography be?
Organized Chaos: The Kate Livingston Story
If you could have a song play every time you enter a room, what would it be?
Countdown by Beyonce
What do you like to do for fun?
I like to travel, hang out with friends, spoil my niece, and explore my own city as if I was a tourist.
What does your dream house look like?
Definitely an urban brownstone.
What fashion trend would you bring back?
There’s not much that I would bring back –more so things that I would remove- but probably overalls. They’re kind of back already, but I just loved wearing them as a kid.
If you were the CEO of a company, what is one thing you would make compulsory and what would you ban from the office?
I would make mandatory service projects or projects outside of day-to-day work because it’s good for team building and an opportunity to do something impactful. I would ban late Friday afternoon meetings.
Can you describe your life using movie titles?
“27 Dresses” because I am basically a professional bridesmaid at this point and “It’s Complicated”.
If someone made a movie about your life, who would you want to play you?
Jennifer Garner because she’s personable, relatable, and a great actress.
Do you have any advice for current students?
I would say to really enjoy every minute of being a student here and to take advantage of all the great opportunities that CMU has to offer including the support of your career consultants!
Katelyn can be reached via email at: kjliving@andrew.cmu.edu
Matthew Seeley
Assistant Director & Career Consultant
Tepper School of Business
What is your favorite part about working at the CPDC?
I really like connecting with the students. I love getting to know what projects they are working on, what they are thinking about for careers, and all the activities that they are doing.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Sensitive. Caring. Thoughtful.
What is your favorite TV show at the moment?
I don’t watch much TV, and it’s not a current show, but Columbo is my favorite.
Can you describe your life using movie titles?
When I’m sad: Gone with the Wind
When I’m thoughtful: Walk the Line
When I’m bold: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
If you were the CEO of a company, what is one thing you would make required and what would you ban from the office?
If I were CEO, everyone would have basic respect and dignity for people from many different cultures. And I wouldn’t ban them, but I’d cut down on group meetings!
If you could have a song play every time you enter a room, what would it be?
It definitely would be a Madonna song. I would say “Holiday”.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love the theater. I also like music, and I play the piano.
What is your favorite play?
Tartuffe. My favorite musical is Rent.
I heard you like food?
I just love cooking, and I really enjoy trying different combinations of things. It’s kind of a mess in the kitchen when I’m at work, but it’s fun to cook for others. On the other hand, I don’t know how to bake at all.
What fashion trend would you bring back?
Let’s bring back the neon from the '80s in accessories. Just kidding – I’m not sure. I have more of a simple style myself.
Do you have any advice for current students?
I think you should trust yourself. Realize that you are here because you’re special and you have a lot to offer. Be bold, try things, and enjoy your experience.
Matthew can be reached via email at: mseeley@cmu.edu
Anne Marie DeGeorge
Assistant Director & Career Consultant
College of Fine Arts & Mellon College of Science
What is your favorite part about working at the CPDC?
I love the variety of meeting students and faculty from many different departments. Every day is different here, and I like that everyone has a unique story.
Prior to coming here I had a career in human resources, starting on the business side at The Washington Post and then moving to New York to work at Newsweek magazine and other places. After I moved to Pittsburgh, I took some time off to raise my kids. And when my daughters left for college, I thought it would be fun to work at CMU, and the career center seemed like a good fit.
What’s your funniest career story?
It was my first day of work as Vice President of Human Resources (HR) at an international publishing company in New York City. I had just settled in with a cup of coffee at my new desk when the owner of the company, whom I had never met before, came into my office and closed the door. He told me that he had just fired the president of the US company, and my first task was to hire my new boss.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Love to laugh.
What is your favorite musical?
Phantom of the Opera. Or Hamilton!
What would the title of your autobiography be?
“The Best is Yet to Come.” On a trip with my family in Honduras, a local man took us out for a day to see the sights. At each place he would tell us, “the best is yet to come!” It became an inside joke. He even said that at the end of the day when he dropped us off. Then I realized that it is a great attitude to have about life. I have had a lifetime of wonderful experiences, and when I think it can’t get any better, what comes next has always been even more interesting and rewarding.
If you could have a song play every time you enter a room, what would it be?
JS Bach’s Magnificat in D major. It’s a glorious piece of music that makes me happy every time I hear it.
What do you like to do for fun?
I like to hang out with my family. I like to write. I also play the violin in a piano quintet and in the Edgewood Symphony, and last year I took piano lessons for fun. Besides that, I travel frequently. I’ve been to 5 out of 7 continents.
If someone made a movie about your life, who would you want to play you?
Meryl Streep. She’s been great in all of her movies.
What fashion trend would you bring back?
I really like those 50’s style dresses that were fitted at the top and big on the bottom. Like the gorgeous ones that Mrs. Maisel wears in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” I think they look flattering on everyone.
What was your favorite travel experience?
I went to Antarctica for 3 weeks on a ship that included a National Geographic research expedition team. That was the most exotic trip I’ve been on. I’ve also had so many favorite trips with my family, from hiking in Colorado to exploring the beaches of Spain.
Do you have any advice for current students?
Wherever life takes you, enjoy the journey. Be open to possibilities. Sometimes life brings you to places you won’t expect.
Anne Marie can be reached via email at: amdegeorge@cmu.edu
Jeff Jeffries
Director, Employer Relations
When did you start working at the CPDC?
I started working at the CPDC in September 2018. Prior to working at the CPDC, I was the director of talent acquisition and talent management for a global media company. I had a connection to my predecessor in this role at Carnegie Mellon and when it opened up, it was very appealing to me because It’s such a fantastic school with high-caliber students and a great reputation. I thought it would be exciting to use my skill sets and industry experience and apply them to higher education.
What is your favorite part about working at the CPDC?
I’m passionate about making sure students have many career opportunities and are well-equipped for their career after graduation. My role is aligned with the employer side, but I like that it benefits the students at CMU which is a wonderful feeling at the end of the day.
What is your most fun workplace story?
At my last job, I would play music loud in my office on Friday mornings and our HR team would have a dance-off to start the day.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Mediator. Practical. Empathetic.
What is your favorite TV show at the moment?
Game of Thrones, but my “comfort food” TV show is reruns of Friends.
What would the title of your autobiography be?
“The Guy with Two First Names.” One time, I told someone my middle name was Jefferson (as a joke), so it became a rumor at work that my real name was Jeff Jefferson Jeffries.
If you could have a song play every time you enter a room, what would it be?
“Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. The image I have is John Travolta walking down the street in Saturday Night Fever with the song playing, so whenever I think of walking into a room, that song just pops into my head.
What do you like to do for fun?
I’m an avid cyclist; I like to road bike and mountain bike. There’s a place where I like to ride called Rothrock State Forest.
What fashion trend would you bring back?
Pocket watches. I think pocket watches are cool and I’ve always liked vintage watches.
Do you have any advice for current students?
When looking for a career, find your true self and align that with a career that you truly enjoy and are passionate about. And don’t be a jerk. People don’t like jerks. With that being said my favorite quote is from Maya Angelou: “At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”
Jeff can be reached via email or phone at: jjeffrie@andrew.cmu.edu or 412.268.5491
