Dorst to Lead FinnU Career Services at Seaton Center for Vocation & Career

Emma Dorst has joined Finlandia as the new Director of Career Services for the new Seaton Center for Vocation and Career (CVC). Dorst has a background in helping people find jobs, which is why she’s so excited to begin helping students make the transition from their educational career to their professional career. 

Dorst was born in Wyoming and worked with refugee and asylum seekers before she began her college career at Oberlin College in Ohio, where she majored in Russian and East European studies and politics. She spent her junior year of school abroad in Russia, then moved to the country of Georgia and taught there for two years. She then moved to Brussels, Belgium where she earned her Master’s in International Migration. She lived in Washington, D.C. for the last few years where she worked various jobs helping refugees and immigrants. She has a lot of experience hiring, training, working with interns, and supervising. A large portion of her refugee work is with work readiness and helping refugees land a good, stable job, which is what led her to become passionate about helping people get jobs.

Dorst decided to work in the CVC because she is drawn to assisting with work readiness and helping people start their careers. She is always available to help people apply for internships, jobs, or continue their higher education journey. She wants to help students put their best foot forward. 

Working in the CVC, she hopes to help the new center get off the ground and make the campus community aware of the services and help they can offer to students. 

“I want to help people think more broadly about their professional careers and the field they’d like to go into”, said Dorst. Her favorite part of working at Finlandia is working one-on-one with students and being able to both lecture as well as work individually with students.

“I have wonderful colleagues here. Everyone is so nice and welcoming”, said Dorst.

“We are developing the identity and programs of the CVC from scratch and skills in research, innovation, and strategic planning is exactly what’s needed,” said Dr. Rene Johnson, the Director of Vocation and Servant Leadership, “From her work with university students in Georgia she brings experience in designing course content and tools for career exploration and preparation. Her most recent work with the USCRI (U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants) provides insights on job-readiness and the employment trends in the country. Most of all, though, I knew she’d be a good fit for Finlandia because she was looking for a community-centered institution where she could work closely with students and colleagues.”

Dorst hopes that students know that she and Dr. Johnson are at the student’s disposal. They’re here to help students with anything they need, like proofreading applications, grad school applications, study abroad applications, or discovering new opportunities.

When Dorst isn’t working at Finlandia, she enjoys going on hikes, baking, cooking, as well as playing instruments like the violin, fiddle, and mandolin.

Emma Dorst can be reached by email at emma.dorst@finlandia.edu or by phone at 906-487-7367.