Deb Balzer-Plagemann

Deb likes to help students learn about their personal strengths, values, and beliefs and use their personal knowledge to discern and guide them through their college major and career exploration.

 

Deb received her Bachelor of Arts from Augsburg University with a major in psychology and minors in religion and sociology. Deb had no idea what she wanted to do as she entered college. She took all of the math and science courses she could during high school and entered college thinking she would be a pre-pharmacy major. After taking a psychology class, she knew she wanted to work in the social science field.

 

Her first job out of college was as an admissions counselor. As a counselor, she had the opportunity to meet students from many different places who each had many different dreams and goals. After working in college admissions for several years, she began a new career in the retirement industry. She knew nothing about retirement plans but was able to apply her knowledge of education to her new role. Since then, she has had two other career changes. "Each time I have made a career change, it has helped me strengthen my understanding of and desire to work with people and to help people achieve their goals," she says.

 

In addition to her work experience, Deb is a graduate of the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program and has been a college golf coach/instructor.

 

What Deb likes most about her job is working with people. "I enjoy supporting students through their decision-making and exploration of life and learning and hearing about success stories of people around me," she says. 

 

Deb is married and has one daughter. She likes to cook and bake, work out, read books, and travel, but she mostly enjoys spending time with her daughter and supporting her accomplishments.