Adaptability & Practical Problem Solving | Friday Career Connection Ep. 28 | Karen Peterson

In this episode of the Friday Career Connection, former Utah State Representative and current SUU Assistant to the President for Government Relations Karen Peterson demonstrates how adaptability, proactive networking, and practical problem-solving can transform an unexpected path into an influential career in public policy and higher education. Whether you are navigating a workforce re-entry, considering a role in public service, or balancing high-demand professional goals with family life, Karen’s candid journey offers a powerful roadmap for taking smart risks, building genuine relationships, and saying "yes" to game-changing opportunities. In this episode, we cover: *Strategic Workforce Re-Entry:* How Karen leveraged graduate education at SUU and real-world project work to transition back into the professional world after 10 years at home raising her children. *Building Relational Currency:* Why trust, credibility, and proactive relationship-building are the most vital assets in political, government, and educational environments. *Applied Learning in Action:* How flexible, practical coursework in SUU's Master of Public Administration (MPA) allowed Karen to directly draft city policy and balance high-level government work. *Higher Education & Regional Synergy:* How Utah's higher education institutions are finding innovative ways to collaborate, create seamless student transfer pathways, and navigate demographic shifts. *Civic Engagement & AI Integration:* How to stay groundedly engaged in public service while balancing digital transformation, AI adoption, and the human skills technology can never replace. ABOUT THE GUEST *Karen Peterson* serves as the Assistant to the President for Government Relations at Southern Utah University. An alumna of SUU’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, Karen’s career spans three terms in the Utah House of Representatives representing North Davis County, working as Legislative Affairs Director for Governor Spencer Cox, serving as Education Policy Advisor for Governor Gary Herbert, and serving as a local city council member. CONNECT WITH KAREN *LinkedIn:*   / karen-m-peterson   --- About Friday Career Connection The Friday Career Connection podcast is sponsored by the SUU Graduate and Online office. Hosted by Tad Brinkerhoff, Associate Vice President for Graduate and Online, this series connects online and graduate students with accomplished alumni and industry professionals to share actionable career advice, industry insights, and real-world stories of professional growth. CONNECT with SUU Graduate & Online *Website:* (https://www.suu.edu/online) *LinkedIn:* (  / suu-grad-online  ) #SUUGradOnline #ThisIsWhereYouSoar #CareerSuccess