Valerie Gonyea

I am a Networking Consultant. I enjoy working with and among communities of interest and facilitating discussions. The "social web" is exactly that...social. I am seeking to leverage my sales and relationship background and my social media savvy to move my career into community management and social media.

Additionally, I developed The Complete Career Campaign ™ for job seekers; a highly customizable system that helps you achieve your professional goals by focusing on effective traditional networking mixed with Web 2.0 strategies. I will work with you to help you get where you want to go.

My blog, at www.careercourageously.com , is designed to explore career issues including interviews, resumes, employee retention, "social" and in-person networking in order to create the Complete Career Campaign ™.

In addition to my own work, I also provide career counseling expertise to current MBA students and Alumnae at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.

Valerie Gonyea’s Specialties:

Social Media Connecting
Complete Career Campaign ™
Managing Your Online Presence
In-Person Networking Coaching – Wingman Style ™
Career Advising
Resume Writing
Interview Coaching
Blogging
oh yeah....and Accounting (I'm a CPA)

Valerie Gonyea’s Experience

Founder / Career Encouragement Officer

Career Courageously ™

(Privately Held; Marketing and Advertising industry)

2008 — Present (1 year )

I founded Career Courageously in early 2008 because I wanted to create an organization which would guide clients toward the identification and successful achievement of their professional career goals.

I work with Solopreneurs who are trying to build their businesses as well as those in the corporate world who are looking to increase their visibility and attract new opportunities.

My approach focuses on strategic use of social practices; specifically, effective interpersonal networking supported by Web 2.0 strategies.

I created “The Complete Career Campaign” ™ which is a suite of tools and strategies designed to help my clients put their best foot forward toward achieving their stated career goals.
Adjunct Career Advisor

Haas School of Business @ UC Berkeley

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

2008 — Present (1 year )

Role includes resume review, interview coaching, social media profile development and other advising needs of the MBA students.

• Present material on personal brand development and the effective use of social media to the student population for the purpose of getting their first job out of school and also to develop a strong network to leverage throughout their professional career.
• Work with individual students on refining their resumes and customizing them for multiple career opportunity alternatives.
• Conduct mock interviews with students and provide constructive feedback on their performance.
• Advise students on using social media tools such as LinkedIn, Blogging & Twitter for the purpose of advancing their career goals after school and for the rest of their professional career.
Board Member and Chairperson of Nominating Committee

Easter Seals Northern California

(Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

2007 — Present (2 years )

Provide professional guidance to the management of this fine non-profit organization. One of my primary goals is that of recruitment. I am seeking new Board members and an Audit Committee Chairperson at this time.

Easter Seals has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives for more than 80 years. Whether helping someone improve physical mobility, return to work or simply gain greater independence for everyday living, Easter Seals offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life's challenges and achieve personal goals.

Easter Seals Northern California covers 17 counties, starting from the Golden Gate Bridge (Marin County) to the Oregon border.
Recruiting Manager

Robert Half International

(Public Company; RHI; Staffing and Recruiting industry)

2007 — 2008 (1 year )

Role included recruiting accounting & finance candidates at all professional levels for direct hire contingency placements. Clients include both commercial and non-profit organizations. I sourced candidates through creative uses of FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter and several online forums.
Certified Public Accountant

Wilson Markle Stuckey Hardesty & Bott

(Accounting industry)

2006 — 2007 (1 year )

In this role, I performed the duties of a staff accountant on both audit engagements as well as tax returns. I was able to achieve my CPA license while working at this public accounting firm.
Accounting Manager

Fastmetrics

(Privately Held; Internet industry)

2004 — 2005 (1 year )

In this role I managed the overall financial and daily business operations of this growing Internet Service Provider.
Global Account Manager

Avaya (spinoff from Lucent)

(Privately Held; AV; Telecommunications industry)

2001 — 2003 (2 years )

As the primary relationship liaison for two multi-national corporations, I led a team of product specialists and project managers through multiple, complex implementations. I was responsible for overall profit center management of those projects.
Account Manager

Lucent

(Public Company; LU; Telecommunications industry)

1998 — 2001 (3 years )

As the primary relationship liaison for two multi-national corporations, I led a team of product specialists and project managers through multiple, complex implementations. I was responsible for overall profit center management of those projects.

My business unit was spun-off from Lucent in 2001 and became Avaya.
Application Consultant

PictureTel

(Public Company; PCTL; Telecommunications industry)

1996 — 1998 (2 years )

Consulted with existing customers to determine how they could leverage their investment in videoconferencing products, in order to increase both productivity and profitability. My efforts were responsible for increasing incremental sales revenue by over 12% within each target account.

Valerie Gonyea’s Education

Golden Gate University

M.S. , Accounting , 2004 — 2007

Activities and Societies:

President, Accounting Club, Chi Pi Alpha
State University of New York at Albany

M.S. , Instructional Technology & Curriculum Design , 1992 — 1993
State University of New York College at Oswego

B.S. , Media Communications , 1982 — 1986
Emma Willard School

1978 — 1982
Hecht & Associates

Additional Information

Valerie Gonyea’s Groups:

California CPA
Board of Directors, Easter Seals Northern California
MVPF
LinkedNorthernCalifornia
Bay Area Business Women
FWA
LinkedIn Power Women
Accounting Network

Haas/Berkeley Alumni
Association of Women MBAs
Women 2.0
Golden Gate University
Linked:HR (#1 Human Resources Group)
YourOnRamp
Job Connections
RecruitingBlogs
Linking Northern California
ASTD National
Emma Willard School Alumnae
JibberJobber - Career Management
National Association of Colleges and Employers
HR West: A community of the Northern California HR Association (NCHRA) and those passionate about HR
California Society of CPAs
Career Counselors Network
Women on Boards Event
My Virtual Power Forum
National Association of Women MBAs
College Career Expert
Career Services Professionals