Profiles in Success  Submit a Profile In-depth looks at life after J-School. Class Notes  Submit a Class Note Shorter updates and recent alumni photos. Sort by Decade Sort by Name/Emphasis Show All 2000-Present 1990-1999 1980-1989 1970-1979 1960-1969 1950-1959 1940-1949 1930-1939 1920-1929 Show All: List by Last Name Graduate Degree Magazine Newspaper Photojournalism Radio-Television Strategic Communication Sort by Decade More Alumni Resources 2000-Present 1990-1999 1980-1989 1970-1979 1960-1969 1950-1959 1940-1949 1930-1939 1920-1929 @mizzou For All We Call Mizzou Mizzou Alumni Association MizzouNet

Susan Vollmer, BJ '83

What do you do?
I am the author of a book published in May 2007 titled Legends, Leaders, Legacies. It tells the true stories of 18 global leaders who were killed for advocating a particular cause. Those who are profiled represent a diverse group of Jewish, Muslim and Christian individuals, and some have no religious affiliation at all. Their occupations range from political leaders to a farmer, nurse, minister, university student, diplomat, eye doctor, king, freedom fighters and a photojournalist. I also serve as a manager of contracts administration for UniGroup Worldwide UTS. This is the sister company to United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit. I specialize in international transportation, moving people and products around the world. It is important for me to have an understanding of other countries and cultures.

How did you get your job?
I answered a newspaper ad in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

What is the best professional lesson you learned at the J-School?
Don't talk your story out. When you finish an interview, take all of your excitement and enthusiasm for the subject matter and write it down on paper before telling anyone about the information. Otherwise, you use up all of your enthusiasm and will write a lesser story.

What advice do you have for current students?
Don't be afraid to apply for or try for things where you may not meet all of the criteria. There may not be anyone who meets "all" of the desired specifications. Your work ethic, attitude and results will mean the most in the long run.

What is your favorite J-School memory?
Harry Benson, a well-known photographer for Life magazine, spoke at the J-School and did an excellent job. He came over with the Beatles to photograph them and stayed in the United States. He spoke about the importance of dressing well so that people take you seriously about your profession and can set you apart from others.

What does your journalism degree mean to you?
Having a journalism degree from the Missouri School of Journalism means that you can go almost anywhere in the United States and have name recognition.