University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
November RCAF Investor of the Month: Laurie James
11/2/2023 2:51:00 PM | RCAF
Meet the November RCAF Investor of the Month, Laurie Jankower James.
"Growing up as a Lafayette local, my parents (Mervine and Marilyn Jankower) instilled the importance of being a doer, not a viewer. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from USL (1983) with active participation in Air Force ROTC, Angel Flight, Business Administration Honor Society, Chi Omega Fraternity, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and Student Government Association. I was also included in Who's Who-American Colleges & Universities.
Reflecting on my days at USL, the spark that ignited my résumé writing career was in Dr. Nelda Spinks' pivotal Business Writing class. She spent several weeks on the importance of a well-written résumé. I had no idea that this one class would ultimately catapult a 37-year career as a credentialed résumé writer.
I opened Just Your Type, Inc. (1986) and quickly developed a reputation as the "go-to" local professional for creative and reasonably priced résumé services. As the business grew internationally, it became obvious that the résumé writing industry lacked an international "think tank" to identify best practices, collaborative industry standards, and accountability with like-minded colleagues. To solve this industry deficit, I co-founded and presided over the Professional Résumé Writing and Research Association (2000). We redefined the industry by creating global recognition for résumé writers and defining best practices. We also grew the organization into 19 countries before rebranding to Career Directors International. I received the CDI Lifetime Achievement Award (2022).
Sports can engage and rally a community to cheer an individual or team to success, and many dreams are fulfilled through athletics. My husband (Kenneth James) earned a full scholarship to USL as a Football Equipment Manager. (He could have chosen ANY SEC school on the Gulf Coast, but he fell in love with our campus "swamp" and landed here.) While at USL, he realized a lifelong dream of working as an Equipment Manager for the New Orleans Saints! The lessons learned from that NFL experience helped shape him into the remarkable human being he is today.
Kenny and I do not have children. I am not an athlete. I simply love staying plugged in as a proud member of Cajun Nation, where we strive to share our unique cULture with the world!! Contributions to RCAF give me an opportunity to celebrate my husband's past on and off the field while remaining active in keeping our great athletic program geauxing and greauxing.
I am one of only 12 Master Career Directors in the world. This designation gives me access to knowledge and resources that others simply do not possess. Because I love Ragin' Cajun Athletics, a strategic commitment to support each graduating student-athlete has been manifested through my time, talents, and treasures. The athletic department uses this free benefit as a recruiting tool. My vision is to position each graduating student-athlete for success with a personalized, professional career portfolio coupled with unlimited 1-1 coaching as needed. I have gleaned something special from every single athlete who has taken advantage of this valuable resource. These student-athletes are like our own children. Donating our efforts makes us feel part of the journey. It's incredible!
One of the biggest takeaways learned through this experience is that our athletic department and coaching staff deserves our unwavering respect and appreciation for the unbelievable and tenacious effort invested day in/day-out, year-after-year to bring such top-quality athletes and phenoms through our university. Remaining engaged with our exceptional student-athletes in this capacity gives me another reason to continue cheering each one to success after college degrees are earned and life in the real world begins.
I grew up in Lafayette, where Men's Basketball (housed at Blackham Coliseum) was the hottest ticket in town. These were the days of Bo Lamar, and legendary coaches: Beryl Shipley, Jim Hatfield, and Bobby Paschal. Home games WERE our social gatherings where fans dressed up and the community came together. Bringing that passion forward, my husband and I got involved in Men's Basketball at the start of the 2013-2014 season where we followed the team and experienced the epic Sunbelt Conference Championship game at the New Orleans Lakefront Arena … it was the most incredible basketball game I had ever seen!! Period!! Against all odds, we took down Georgia State in triple overtime, as I felt God answer my passionate and unwavering prayers!! Kenny and I helped cut down the winning net that night!! (That treasured piece of net remains tucked away in my jewelry box!!)
Worth mentioning was my initial encounter with Men's Basketball Head Coach Bob Marlin! I casually mentioned my desire to meet him at the Sunbelt Conference Tournament in 2014. When his wife (Jennifer) heard this, she grabbed my hand and flagged her husband down. (This was immediately AFTER we won the 2013-2014 Sunbelt Semi-Final Game AND a 45-minute press conference). Meeting Bob under those circumstances didn't make sense at the time because I figured he had more pressing things on his mind! During ALL the mayhem surrounding that epic moment, however, I remember him displaying incredible poise and grace while taking valuable and meaningful time to meet me!! He kept a cool head and somehow remembered the close relationship my (late) father had with Coach Bobby Paschal as well as referencing a mutual friend, Rich Sheubrooks (retired Executive Director of Global Scouting for the Utah Jazz and retired Global Talent Scout for Nike - Europe). How Bob Marlin managed to remember ALL of that (knowing he had to prepare for a final matchup the next day, and an NCAA Big Dance bid on the line) still baffles me!! I will NEVER forget either of these moments!!
I have proudly sung our national anthem before multiple Ragin' Cajun sporting events. This is my way of honoring my father (USAF – JAG division) and all men/women who serve and protect our country.
Melanie Jankower is my niece and was a member of the UL Life program. From 2014 to 2019, she was a student-athlete cheerleader representing men's/women's basketball and volleyball. She managed to break the glass ceiling for special needs students with this achievement. She graduated (May 2019) as a 4-year lettered athlete in cheer, and she currently works as part of the Episcopal School of Acadiana's library staff. Our whole family advocates for the UL Life program because of what it brings to the community, and how quickly and beautifully the program embraced our Melanie!
Barbara Jankower is my (late) aunt who grew up in Rayne, LA. She enjoyed a successful PE Teaching and Volleyball Coaching career in Houston, TX. While I never really learned much about volleyball while she was alive, I certainly appreciated her love and devotion to it. When recently approached by Volleyball Head Coach Kristi Gray to lead the #BackReaux Booster Club last spring, I accepted on the spot! Volleyball is the only sport housed "on campus," and it's exciting to show off the newly renovated EK Long (EKL) Gym. During my college years, I enrolled in 2 PE courses (tennis and trampoline), and EKL hosted both classes. By supporting our #BackReaux Club and the Volleyball program, I feel Aunt Barbara channeling her love of volleyball directly to and through me, making this a full-circle experience!
For more than 100 years, my paternal ancestors owned Mervine Kahn Company (Rayne, LA), the largest family-owned department store between New Orleans and Houston. My great-great-grandfather, Mervine Kahn imported the first accordions to the US from Germany. Imagine how different Cajun and Zydeco music would be without the accordion!! Thanks to my great-great grandfather, the legacy of my family will forever be linked to our community and to the Cajun culture!! What a blessing!!"
"Growing up as a Lafayette local, my parents (Mervine and Marilyn Jankower) instilled the importance of being a doer, not a viewer. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from USL (1983) with active participation in Air Force ROTC, Angel Flight, Business Administration Honor Society, Chi Omega Fraternity, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and Student Government Association. I was also included in Who's Who-American Colleges & Universities.
Reflecting on my days at USL, the spark that ignited my résumé writing career was in Dr. Nelda Spinks' pivotal Business Writing class. She spent several weeks on the importance of a well-written résumé. I had no idea that this one class would ultimately catapult a 37-year career as a credentialed résumé writer.
I opened Just Your Type, Inc. (1986) and quickly developed a reputation as the "go-to" local professional for creative and reasonably priced résumé services. As the business grew internationally, it became obvious that the résumé writing industry lacked an international "think tank" to identify best practices, collaborative industry standards, and accountability with like-minded colleagues. To solve this industry deficit, I co-founded and presided over the Professional Résumé Writing and Research Association (2000). We redefined the industry by creating global recognition for résumé writers and defining best practices. We also grew the organization into 19 countries before rebranding to Career Directors International. I received the CDI Lifetime Achievement Award (2022).
Sports can engage and rally a community to cheer an individual or team to success, and many dreams are fulfilled through athletics. My husband (Kenneth James) earned a full scholarship to USL as a Football Equipment Manager. (He could have chosen ANY SEC school on the Gulf Coast, but he fell in love with our campus "swamp" and landed here.) While at USL, he realized a lifelong dream of working as an Equipment Manager for the New Orleans Saints! The lessons learned from that NFL experience helped shape him into the remarkable human being he is today.
Kenny and I do not have children. I am not an athlete. I simply love staying plugged in as a proud member of Cajun Nation, where we strive to share our unique cULture with the world!! Contributions to RCAF give me an opportunity to celebrate my husband's past on and off the field while remaining active in keeping our great athletic program geauxing and greauxing.
I am one of only 12 Master Career Directors in the world. This designation gives me access to knowledge and resources that others simply do not possess. Because I love Ragin' Cajun Athletics, a strategic commitment to support each graduating student-athlete has been manifested through my time, talents, and treasures. The athletic department uses this free benefit as a recruiting tool. My vision is to position each graduating student-athlete for success with a personalized, professional career portfolio coupled with unlimited 1-1 coaching as needed. I have gleaned something special from every single athlete who has taken advantage of this valuable resource. These student-athletes are like our own children. Donating our efforts makes us feel part of the journey. It's incredible!
One of the biggest takeaways learned through this experience is that our athletic department and coaching staff deserves our unwavering respect and appreciation for the unbelievable and tenacious effort invested day in/day-out, year-after-year to bring such top-quality athletes and phenoms through our university. Remaining engaged with our exceptional student-athletes in this capacity gives me another reason to continue cheering each one to success after college degrees are earned and life in the real world begins.
I grew up in Lafayette, where Men's Basketball (housed at Blackham Coliseum) was the hottest ticket in town. These were the days of Bo Lamar, and legendary coaches: Beryl Shipley, Jim Hatfield, and Bobby Paschal. Home games WERE our social gatherings where fans dressed up and the community came together. Bringing that passion forward, my husband and I got involved in Men's Basketball at the start of the 2013-2014 season where we followed the team and experienced the epic Sunbelt Conference Championship game at the New Orleans Lakefront Arena … it was the most incredible basketball game I had ever seen!! Period!! Against all odds, we took down Georgia State in triple overtime, as I felt God answer my passionate and unwavering prayers!! Kenny and I helped cut down the winning net that night!! (That treasured piece of net remains tucked away in my jewelry box!!)
Worth mentioning was my initial encounter with Men's Basketball Head Coach Bob Marlin! I casually mentioned my desire to meet him at the Sunbelt Conference Tournament in 2014. When his wife (Jennifer) heard this, she grabbed my hand and flagged her husband down. (This was immediately AFTER we won the 2013-2014 Sunbelt Semi-Final Game AND a 45-minute press conference). Meeting Bob under those circumstances didn't make sense at the time because I figured he had more pressing things on his mind! During ALL the mayhem surrounding that epic moment, however, I remember him displaying incredible poise and grace while taking valuable and meaningful time to meet me!! He kept a cool head and somehow remembered the close relationship my (late) father had with Coach Bobby Paschal as well as referencing a mutual friend, Rich Sheubrooks (retired Executive Director of Global Scouting for the Utah Jazz and retired Global Talent Scout for Nike - Europe). How Bob Marlin managed to remember ALL of that (knowing he had to prepare for a final matchup the next day, and an NCAA Big Dance bid on the line) still baffles me!! I will NEVER forget either of these moments!!
I have proudly sung our national anthem before multiple Ragin' Cajun sporting events. This is my way of honoring my father (USAF – JAG division) and all men/women who serve and protect our country.
Melanie Jankower is my niece and was a member of the UL Life program. From 2014 to 2019, she was a student-athlete cheerleader representing men's/women's basketball and volleyball. She managed to break the glass ceiling for special needs students with this achievement. She graduated (May 2019) as a 4-year lettered athlete in cheer, and she currently works as part of the Episcopal School of Acadiana's library staff. Our whole family advocates for the UL Life program because of what it brings to the community, and how quickly and beautifully the program embraced our Melanie!
Barbara Jankower is my (late) aunt who grew up in Rayne, LA. She enjoyed a successful PE Teaching and Volleyball Coaching career in Houston, TX. While I never really learned much about volleyball while she was alive, I certainly appreciated her love and devotion to it. When recently approached by Volleyball Head Coach Kristi Gray to lead the #BackReaux Booster Club last spring, I accepted on the spot! Volleyball is the only sport housed "on campus," and it's exciting to show off the newly renovated EK Long (EKL) Gym. During my college years, I enrolled in 2 PE courses (tennis and trampoline), and EKL hosted both classes. By supporting our #BackReaux Club and the Volleyball program, I feel Aunt Barbara channeling her love of volleyball directly to and through me, making this a full-circle experience!
For more than 100 years, my paternal ancestors owned Mervine Kahn Company (Rayne, LA), the largest family-owned department store between New Orleans and Houston. My great-great-grandfather, Mervine Kahn imported the first accordions to the US from Germany. Imagine how different Cajun and Zydeco music would be without the accordion!! Thanks to my great-great grandfather, the legacy of my family will forever be linked to our community and to the Cajun culture!! What a blessing!!"
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