College of Education News

Andrew Hibel, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of HigherEdJobs.com, remembers the challenge of finding a job after college graduation. Hibel, who in 1994 received a Master's in Higher Education from Illinois' College of Education to complement both a Juris Doctorate from Indiana University and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Illinois' College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, still faced a difficult job market.

In fact, this transition in his life not only inspired him to launch his now successful business, but also inspired him and his wife, Elizabeth, to endow the Hibel Family Higher Education Internship Fund, in the College of Education's Department of Educational Organization and Leadership.

The endowed scholarship will be awarded to supplement the academic experience of Higher Education students with a variety of internship possibilities, an experience that Hibel still regards as instrumental in shaping his own career.

"We hope this gets people into the right place," stated Hibel.

While pursuing his Master's in Higher Education, Hibel sought out an internship at the University of Illinois Foundation. It was his work in the Trust Relations department, that led him to discover his passion for Planned Giving.

Hibel gave two reasons why Planned Giving intrigued him, "One, I love tax law. I always thought it was easy and fun when in law school. And the second reason is because you know you are making a difference and changing lives. When you do your job well, you can make everyone happy… the donor and the university."

During this transition from academia to work, Hibel was often reminded of the advice given to him from his mentor and internship supervisor: to be patient and careful about the first job you take.

"You're only as good as that first position," said Hibel.

Hibel started his career at Indiana University in Development and since has held positions at Penn State University and Advocate Health Care. While working in the field, he also met Elizabeth, who was the Director of Planned Giving at DePaul University. His decision to leave the field of planned giving related to his own experience in finding the career that fit him best.

"People have to be passionate about what they do… I'd like to think about my own career and help people get to the right place."

Patricia Yaeger, Internship Coordinator and Visiting Professor in the Department of Educational Organization and Leadership, spoke of the importance of internships in the Higher Education Program at Illinois.

"Internships give students the opportunity to gain practical experience," Yaeger said. "Whether in academic units, student affairs, advancement, or other areas of the college, students are able to connect workplace experience with the research and theory discussed in the classroom."

At the Higher Education Reunion held during Homecoming, 2008, alumni who completed the Program nearly 40 years ago mentioned internship experiences that were crucial to launching their postsecondary careers.

"They strongly encouraged current students to complete internships, considering these experiences invaluable," said Yaeger.

The Hibel Family Scholarship is the first endowed scholarship in the Department specifically designated for internships. Andrew said he and Elizabeth's decision to give to Illinois was an obvious choice.

"That was where I was given the internship opportunity. The story begins here."