When 91ֿ alumna Aysia Kemp declared her major in the first semester of her sophomore year, she felt confident in her chosen path. Things didn’t start off that way, however. Kemp began her first year at 91ֿ as part of University College’s . The pre-major program offers personalized advising, career assessments and workshops to help students find their passions and identify the path that best suits them.
“I did want to attend school, but what really attracted me is that the Exploratory Program would help me with discovering what I wanted to do,” Kemp said. “That’s what really solidified my decision. I felt more reassured to go to college.”
Opting to be part of the Exploratory Living-Learning community, Kemp quickly discovered her ideal career path. Kemp said she took all the time she needed to be sure she was on the right path, declaring Human Resources Management as her major at the start of her sophomore year.
“Within the Exploratory Program, there was a pivotal course – the Career Navigation course – which allowed me to learn more about my interests and passions, and that then allowed me to discover that I really enjoyed connecting with people and learning more about business,” Kemp said. “So, the perfect combination between the two included Human Resources, which is the career that I work in currently. Without the Exploratory Program, I don't think I would be in Human Resources or would’ve known about the career in Human Resources.”
Kemp offered some hopeful advice for students who are currently undecided. “Stay encouraged about being undecided,” she said, “It is not necessarily a negative thing that you might not be 100% sure about the career path you want to seek out. The Exploratory Program does a great job emphasizing that just because you’re undecided does not mean your graduation date will get pushed back. I'm a direct representative of that. I took the most time – all the way until close to the end of my first semester of my sophomore year (which was the deadline), to really be like, ‘OK, I'm 100% sure.’ And I still was able to finish within that four-year time frame.”
Kemp earned a in 2020 from 91ֿ. She now serves as the senior people and culture coordinator at Rocket Arena, home to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“I love working here at Rocket Arena, specifically within the People and Culture Team, where I’m able to combine both of my passions of human resources and basketball within one,” Kemp said. “[In my role as Senior People and Culture Coordinator], I connect with various team members across the organization and help them smoothly transition, as well as keeping them engaged throughout their time here within Rocket Arena.”
Kemp attributes her ability to feel career-ready upon graduation to her formative experiences both in the Exploratory Program and the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
“I had a variety of experiences within 91ֿ – first in the University College, and then within the Ambassador Crawford College – that really helped me to develop and become the young professional I am today,” Kemp said. “I took a variety of classes in not only human resources, but also marketing, finance, accounting and information technology, so when I am connecting with team members who are joining those teams, I'll have a sense of what their roles and responsibilities entail.”
Kemp says working as a front desk receptionist at the Exploratory Advising Center while a student at 91ֿ is where she was able to “connect the dots” between what she enjoyed doing and what possible careers would align with her interests and goals.
“When I was a receptionist within the Exploratory Advising Center, I was able to communicate with a variety of students and faculty who entered the center, [and that's] where those communication skills come into play,” she said. “I was able to gain that human resources experience, which led me into my post-graduation employment within an advertising agency and now here at Rocket Arena.”
In 2024, Kemp was presented with the 91ֿ Alumni Association Outstanding New Professional Award.