Holly Metz
Holly Metz has fond memories of Mountaineer football game days. Visions of early morning tailgates, honking cars and rows of campers remain vivid as she reminisces about her days at West Virginia University.
Now, as the membership director of the National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC) of the West Virginia University Alumni Association, Metz is still WVU’s number one fan.
Holly Metz grew up in Southwestern Pennsylvania, about 20 miles from Morgantown. Although she did not always plan on attending WVU, she was very excited about having the chance to attend a large, reputable college so close to her home.
During her time in Morgantown, Metz kept herself busy with a number of jobs, including ones with Admissions and Records, the University library and as a research assistant at the hospital. She graduated from WVU with a degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing.
“I felt that school prepared me for the challenge of the business world and inspired me to want to move to a city full of opportunity,” says Metz.
So, after graduation, Metz packed her bags and moved to Washington, D.C., and began working as a retail manager at a shoe boutique. Her bosses eventually decided to open a national employment agency and asked Metz if she would be interested in working for them.
“I thought they were going to try to help me find other work; instead, they offered me a job,” laughs Metz.
Metz was able to utilize her marketing experience and found the job to be a perfect fit. After eight years in the industry, she decided to open her own business and is now the recruiter, manager and founder of Key Staffing Solutions. Proudly, the company just celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Metz loves using her position to help alumni find careers, places to live and a general sense of belonging upon moving to the city. A small-town girl herself, Metz knows how intimidating the “real world” can be.
“The alumni group here is very close and very proud,” explains Metz. “Mountaineers always carry a connection, even though we’re not at the University anymore.”
It is this type of spirit and outreach, Metz believes, which makes WVU alumni so unique.
Metz truly loves being able to give back to WVU and is always encouraging alumni to participate in networking events and other University related functions. While most of her free time is occupied with planning and attending events, she also loves to go to area museums, restaurants, plays and concerts.
Currently, Metz is coordinating a career fair with WVU’s College of Business & Economics. The purpose is to connect WVU alumni with companies in the D.C. area to graduating seniors interested in relocating to the District.
“I learned how to become a successful person through the B&E College,” says Metz. “So this is an opportunity for me to help others as they begin or continue their career search.”
This spotlight was written by Linsey Godbey, a 2005 graduate of the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism. She now works as an executive assistant at GolinHarris, a public relations firm in Washington, D.C.
