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Alumni Spotlight: Diana Cote
By Emily Wescott
Whalesong Contributor
Diana Cote’s
favorite class at UAS was calculus with Ron Seater, and not merely
because of the content or Seater’s teaching ability; she met
her future husband there.
“You didn’t know math could be romantic, did
you?” said Cote, current president of the UAS
Alumni Association. “As a single parent, a ‘nontraditional’
student, I didn’t expect that I would be forming long-lasting
relationships with fellow students because I wasn’t looking
for the usual college experience – I was there to study, study,
study.”
Diana Cote graduated from UAS in 1993 with a bachelor’s
degree in business management, and has since served as director
of the UAS Learning Center
and executive director of the Board of Game. She is currently the
executive director of the Boards of Fisheries and Game at the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game. Cote attributes her academic success
to the content of the courses she took at UAS, as well as direct
and frequent access to her professors.
“Not only did I have access to them during my course
work, but getting to know them on a personal basis means I can now
reminisce with them about their classes,” Cote said. “Like
the time my 5-year-old came to college algebra with me and was worried
about my teacher’s ability: ‘don’t they know you’re
supposed to add numbers, not letters?’”
According to Cote, the content of the courses she took
at UAS was directly applicable to the managerial positions she has
held.
“The university’s use of (adjunct) professors
from the community strengthens the content of those courses in that
the students are exposed to ‘real life’ experiences and
advice from people who are in the field,” Cote said.
Cote, who is active in city-league volleyball and softball,
said as an employer she would chose a candidate with experience
or extracurricular activities over someone who just has a degree,
so finding opportunities to connect with people in chosen career
or industry fields is important.
“Take advantage of job shadowing and internship
opportunities,” Cote said. “Be an exchange student or
tutor someone.”
Cote said receiving a degree is just one step in building
a career; graduates also need experience in their chosen field.
“Don’t expect to walk out of the university’s
door and find a half-dozen job offers for the pay range at which
you see your worth,” Cote said. “Building a career involves
building a network among your peers and superiors, working at jobs
or volunteering for community activities where your abilities and
talents can be noticed.”
“I’m pleasantly surprised at how many friends
I made at UAS who are now colleagues in my work world, or just good
pals that I still see,” Cote said.
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