Alums Give Students Valuable Insights into Career-Building at ‘How I Found My Career’ Panel Discussion

3 people seated during a panel discussion with a moderator.
From left, Wilma Johnson, Trent Hamilton and Tara Ward presented at a recent panel discussion moderated by Dr. Leslie Ekpe.

Three Lion alums dispensed wisdom and took questions from attendees at a recent event titled “How I Found My Career,” hosted by the Office of Student Career Preparedness at East Texas A&M University.

Moderated by East Texas A&M Assistant Professor Leslie Ekpe, Ph.D, the discussion was held both in person and virtually via Zoom. The following alumni shared their experiences and expertise with attendees:

  • Tara Ward, a 1995 graduate of East Texas State University (now East Texas A&M). She has spent nearly 30 years in radio after graduating with a degree in Radio & Television. She currently serves as co-host of the “Wake Up with the Wolf” morning show with Ryan Fox on KPLX-FM in Dallas. While a student in Commerce, she was also a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. Ward spoke about her experience with deciding she wanted to pursue a career on the air after taking her first RTV class at East Texas. She also spoke about her internship with legendary radio DJ Kidd Kraddick and how he encouraged her to think bigger and broader about her career. She urged attendees to “never let anyone dull your sparkle.”
  • Trent Hamilton, a two-time graduate of Texas A&M University-Commerce (now East Texas A&M) in 2003 and 2008. He has served in the field of public education for more than two decades, and currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer at Blue Ridge ISD in Blue Ridge, Texas. Holding a B.S. in Biological Sciences and an M.Ed. in Educational Administration, he was also a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity while in Commerce. He credits faculty like Professor Emeritus Dr. Kenneth “Rock” Clinton with helping him find his path to being an educator. He said to listen to your gut and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
  • Wilma Johnson, also a two-time graduate of Texas A&M University-Commerce. A Kansas native, she moved with her children to Texas following a divorce and landed a career in law enforcement. She worked as a crime scene investigator and financial specialist for the Texas Office of the Attorney General for several years before deciding to finish college at A&M-Commerce, where one of her children had attended. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2013 and a Master of Social Work degree in 2014. She stressed the importance of adapting to life’s sudden changes and not being afraid to take a big leap if it means achieving your dreams.

After sharing some impactful advice, the panelists also took questions and met with guests one on one after the event. The event is just one of many events organized by the Office of Student Career Preparedness that help give students the support, expertise and opportunity to succeed in their chosen career. See more events and info at the Student Career Preparedness website.