Julie Westlund, director of UMD Career & Internship Services at UMD, received the 2017 Jules Kerlan Outstanding Achievement Award from the Minnesota Career Development Association on April 28, in New Brighton, Minn.
With over 35 years of career counseling at the college level and a Master of Arts in educational psychology and counseling, Julie has helped UMD students find careers all over the world. 
“Julie deserves this lifetime achievement award,” says Sue Holm, career counselor with UMD Career & Internship Services. “Julie works tirelessly as a career development advocate for all students across Minnesota. She is a visionary; constantly looking ahead for the next improvements and innovations in providing career information and help to students across Minnesota."
Janet Pribyl, assistant director of UMD Career & Internship Services says, “Julie continues to be a mentor, role model, teacher, counselor, advocate, and friend to both new and seasoned career development professionals and students. There is no better person to receive this award this year.”
Julie Westlund was among the early adopters of an electronic job posting system which is now the standard. Among her many accomplishments, she initiated the first University of Minnesota system-wide job fair back in 2004 and continues to serve on the executive board of the University of Minnesota Job and Internship Fair. She was also a founding member and president of the Northland Career Development Professionals Association. She has developed and taught career awareness and development, internship preparation, and job search courses since 1984.
Jules Kerlan Outstanding Achievement Award is given out only in the years when one of its members is deemed worthy. It is the highest honor from the statewide organization, which is an affiliate of the National Career Development Association.