Career Services

Staff Bios

Debra H. Breyan, Career Counselor
Ed.M. Counseling and Consulting Psychology

Debra Hotch Breyan received her Master of Education degree in Counseling and Counsulting Psychology at HGSE and has been a Career Counselor here since 1991 where she works with graduate students and alumni. She is an expert in a range of career issues and job search strategies and performed over 1,100 appointments in the 2006/07 academic year.

Her background includes counseling women and men at Radcliffe Career Services on a wide range of career issues and counseling students from the Harvard Divinity School who also use HGSE's resources. She also developed and worked in a career counseling program for cancer patients and family members at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Debra's approach helps individuals define and attain fulfilling work and life interests through an unstructured interviewing process along with optional selected career measures such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory. Make an appointment to meet with Debra or call 617-495-3427 with questions.

Sarah Deighton, Field Experience Program Specialist
Ed.M. Special Studies

Sarah Deighton has over ten years experience in career management. As the Field Experience Program (FEP) Specialist, she collaborates closely with the program's Director in managing and developing the future strategy for this experiential course. Her work includes outreach to internship sites, development and facilitation of the career seminar, and providing career guidance to students interested in the program.

Most recently, Sarah was the Director of Career Services and Alumni Relations at the Stanford University School of Education. Her prior experience includes working at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford and the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. Before working in a university setting, she held roles in recruiting and marketing at executive search firm Korn/Ferry International.

Sarah is qualified in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory, and CareerLeader Assessment. Sarah also graduated from HGSE and currently serves as a member of the school's Recent Alumni Circle. She is also a very enthusiastic Field Experience Program alumna. Make an appointment to meet with Sarah or call 617-495-3427 with questions.

Cynthia Dyer, Website Coordinator
MS Journalism, Certificate in Museum Studies

Cynthia Dyer, as Website Coordinator, collaborates with Career Services Office and Communications staff members in creating, configuring, evaluating and updating online content that best serves the HGSE community and its visitors.

Prior to her role at HGSE, Cynthia provided graphics support to the Exhibitions Department at Harvard University Art Museums, was Group Leader of the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study at Harvard School of Public Health, supervised student work in the Carpenter Center darkroom, and evaluated fiction submissions for the literary magazine Agni. Her education background includes a Masters of Science degree in Journalism from Boston University and a Certificate in Museum Studies from Harvard Extension School.

Along with her work in the CSO, Cynthia continues graduate study in digital media and media theory and pursues her own photographic and video projects. E-mail Cynthia any questions or comments regarding the CSO website.

Mary Frazier-Davis, Ph.D., Associate Director

As Associate Director of the Career Services Office, Mary Frazier-Davis works closely with the Director and staff on numerous initiatives serving students and alumni of HGSE.

Mary brings to the CSO experience as a teacher and adminstrator in public education, nonprofit management from her tenure in Washington, DC and work in business. Her higher education career advising and lifespan development work began over 25 years ago through her affiliation with The Pennsylvania State University, where she received her Ph.D. and M.Ed.

In addition to her responsibilities with the CSO, Mary is involved with a teacher education program at Harvard Divinity School. Selected voluntary experiences included governance roles with independent school and cooperative extension. Make an appointment to meet with Mary or call 617-495-3427 with questions.

Rachael McDermott, Staff Assistant
MA History

As the Career Services Office Staff Assistant, Rachael McDermott provides overall support to all department programs and events. She also offers customer service to students and alumni, advising on the office's sevices and procedures, practical job search concerns, career resources and initial approach to career management.

Rachael offers the Job Search QuickStart series of resume and cover letter small group advising sessions. She works with Mary Frazier Davis on the Career Days trips, writes Quick Tip handouts on job search issues, creates marketing materials for office events, and supports the Field Experience Program.

Previously, Rachael worked in the Office of Career Services at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. She has also worked in high-tech public relations, advising clients on communication strategies and media relations. Rachael holds a master of arts degree in History from Tufts University. Call Rachael at 617-495-3427 with questions or advice on CSO services.

Valerie Sutton, Director of Career Services
MA Higher Education

Valerie Sutton has twelve years of experience in adult career counseling in the MBA and education sectors. As the Director of the Career Services Office, she manages eight staff members that focus on six major employer events, more than thirty career education programs, and various technology initiatives. The office works with each of thirteen master's programs, doctoral students and alumni, assisting over 1,200 clients annually.

Valerie's prior experience includes The Fox School of Business at Temple University, The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, and The Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. Valerie is qualified in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, CareerLeader Assessment, and has knowledge of the Strengthsfinder Assessment.

Her interest is in training and development of individuals and teams in managing their career progression and understanding the market demands as it relates to recruitment and retention of employees. Through the use of career theory and coaching techniques, her goal is to teach individuals to take the initiative and lead the success of their career. Make an appointment to meet with Valerie or call 617-495-3427 with questions.

Loc Truong, Assistant Director of Employer Relations
MS School Counseling

Loc Truong, with over ten years of experience in counseling and education, has been at the Harvard Graduate School of Education for three years. In his current position as Assistant Director of Employer Relations with the Career Services Office, Loc works with employers in various education industries, helping them strategize recruiting methods and connecting them with the HGSE community. He also works closely with graduate students and alumni, guiding them in their job searches and navigating career expos.

Haling from California, Loc has a Masters of Science degree in School Counseling. His experience spans elementary, secondary and higher education. He has mentored teen fathers in a parenting education program and counseled low-income students in college preparation. He has also worked as a counselor in both Upward Bound and GEAR UP programs.

In 1999, as a featured guest at the annual State of the Union Address, Loc was recognized by President Clinton for his volunteer work with AmeriCorps. Make an appointment to meet with Loc or call 617-495-3427 with questions.