Meet Megan Tinklepaugh, East Ohio’s Career Management Director! She joined the East Ohio family in January 2021 and has been assisting students preparing for college and career success since. In her Student Success Strategies and Career Preparation courses, Ms. Tinklepaugh helps students discover their learning styles and develop their employability soft skills to effectively navigate college and present themselves to potential employers with confidence and professionalism. She oversees the school’s Student Government Association and works diligently to support and assist students in their job search.
Megan possesses exceptional insight and practical experience, which she uses to encourage and support the students’ educational and career endeavors. Prior to East Ohio, Megan was the administrative assistant in the high school guidance department at Freedom Area High School for five years. She was also the school board secretary and administrative assistant to the Jeannette City School District superintendent for two years. She was also the assistant office manager/certified consultant at Aspen Dental for four years. In addition to her education and dental experience, she also possesses her Associate Degree of Applied Science in Business Management from Beaver County Community College (2013), a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and Pre-Counseling from Capella University (2020), and is currently completing her Master in Education for School Counseling through West Liberty University.
Ms. Tinklepaugh chose to join the East Ohio family because she has always wanted to help others set goals and take advantage of new opportunities. “I am a strong believer in challenging expectations, pushing individual limitations, and holding ourselves accountable for personal growth and development opportunities. I have always found great interest in advocating for positive change and making an influential impact in others’ lives.” Megan stated that her favorite part of working at East Ohio is, “…having the opportunity to teach the students early on in their educational experience in Student Success Strategies and then again at the very end of their instruction in my Career Preparation course. Seeing them really embrace all that they have learned and utilizing the skill sets they have developed over such a quick period of time is truly amazing.”
Megan’s greatest motivators are her two daughters. “My girls mean the absolute world to me and keep me on my toes. They are my biggest supporters and my constant push to be my best version of myself. A year ago, I held an Associate Degree in Business Management, was content in my career, and focused solely on devoting time to my children. Today, I have a fresh career that I love and face new adventures every day, have completed my Bachelor’s Degree, and have entered a Master’s program I never thought I would. I want my children to be resilient and prosperous individuals who never settle for complacency.”
Megan is most proud of the continual effort she places on bettering herself to ensure her family’s overall health, wealth, and success. “Success is so much more than meeting goals and hitting targets. It influences your mood and day-to-day purpose. Tiny steps toward improvement make my heart happy.”
When Ms. Tinklepaugh is not teaching or on campus, she loves to work on household projects, be outdoors, and spend time with her family. “There is always work to be done, but every now and again, I enjoy relaxing around our fire pit, working on my garden, or playing games with the girls. We plan to take them on their first kayaking trip this year! I think we are all very excited for that.”
An interesting fact about Megan is that her first job was as a member service representative at the Beaver County YMCA, where she worked alongside Mrs. Courtney Martin, our East Ohio Campus President! There, they built a long-lasting friendship which shows through the East Ohio family atmosphere.
As the Career Management Director, Ms. Tinklepaugh has access to a vast employer network, provides personalized career advising for students and alumni, aids students with personal and professional branding and interview training, supports students in the development of professional documents and a career portfolio, and identifies quality job leads within the tri-state area.
For more information on how Ms. Tinklepaugh and East Ohio can help you take the next step toward a great career, request information here!