After retiring from a 35-year career with the federal government, University of Detroit Mercy alumni, Robert Rogowski ‘77 and ‘79, has supported Detroit Mercy’s Center for Career & Professional Development (CC&PD) as a Career Advisor for the past ten years.
When Rogowski enrolled at the University for his undergraduate in 1973, his goal was to pursue a career in law or government service. This led to his decision to major in Political Science (BA, 1977), and his continued education at the University with a graduate degree in Public Administration (MA, 1979).
Rogowski retired in 2014 after 35 years of working in public service. He spent nine years at the Veterans Administration, and 26 years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Detroit, where he served as the agency’s Administrative Officer.
He reflected on his career as “personally fulfilling.” The aspect he enjoyed the most in his managerial and advisory roles was helping individuals develop their career goals and assisting them on a path to reach their potential.
As a volunteer at the CC&PD, Rogowski helps students explore their career options by considering their interests, goals, skills, knowledge, and personality characteristics. He facilitates development of their specific skills related to the job search such as resume writing, interview prep, networking strategies, and more.
He develops and hosts workshops that deal with a wide variety of career related topics such as how to negotiate a salary, careers available in the public sector, and strategies to navigate the current job market.
He also serves the University as the Vice President of the Athletic Club, and can often be found in the bleachers at Calihan Hall during basketball season.
He avidly supports the Detroit Mercy Theatre Company and looks forward to the upcoming Blackbox Theatre coming to campus.
Rogowski’s passion for Detroit Mercy is ignited by the “wonderful memories” that he made as a student on campus. He credits the liberal arts education that he received as critical to his success in the workforce.
“The liberal arts education I received at the University taught me a wide variety of skills necessary to be successful in any work environment – written and verbal communication skills, critical thinking, problem solving, etc.,” Rogowski said.
He specified that throughout his work experiences, his greatest lesson was learning that each job in the “real world” is unique, and the most important skill that one can have is “learning to learn” or becoming adaptable in new environments.
For those interested in taking a similar path to Rogowski’s, one piece of advice that he gives students is to take advantage of the “ancillary services” available at the University, such as the Academic Interest & Major Exploration program, Student Success Center, tutoring, faculty advising, the CC&PD, and more.
Rogowski was featured in a recent segment of “Ask the Professor,” the University of Detroit Mercy’s radio quiz show that has aired since 1954. To listen to Rogowski’s interview, go to https://sites.udmercy.edu/atp/2023/03/10/episode-2327/.
Individuals can get in touch with Rogowski through his email at robert.rogowski@yahoo.com.
