Simpsonian

Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Lifestyles

There's an old saying that says "choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." For Del Shepard, director of career services, his satisfaction of working with students has made his job at Simpson very enjoyable.

"I love working with students," Shepard said. "It's my passion."

As Director of Career Services, Shepard works with students on a daily basis. Over the course of three days, Sheppard said that he alone worked with 24 people.

"Probably the largest part of the day is working with seniors, but we also have underclassmen working with internships," Sheppard said.

Shepard's education has spanned many years, and he has received many degrees. He received an undergraduate and B.A. in marketing, as well as a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Northern Iowa. He also received an M.S. and a Ph.D from Iowa State University and an M.B.A. from the University of Iowa.

Shepard has been working at the Indianola campus for a year and three months, but he previously worked at Simpson's West Des Moines campus.

"I started out teaching part time and about five years ago started teaching evening classes," Shepard said.

Assisting people with their careers has always been a part of Sheppard's job. Prior to coming to Simpson, he worked as a career adviser in the private sector.

"I counseled executives who had either lost their jobs or had been downsized," Shepard said.

When he's not spending time helping young people with their future careers and internships, Shepard spends time with his family.

"I spend time with my six grandchildren," Shepard said. "I like to play golf."

Shepard said he is very happy to be working with students at Simpson College.

"The interaction with students is at the top of the list," Shepard said. "I'm always amazed at the high caliber of students that Simpson attracts. I think Simpson is the absolute best out of all the schools I've worked at."

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