Biography
Penny Harding joined Penn State Altoona Career Services in 2023 and served as a staff assistant to the career counselor, employer engagement specialist, and the director of continuing education. With the recent retirement of the employer engagement specialist, Harding has stepped into the role of career services event coordinator and assists local, regional, and national employers in arranging company visits, information sessions, and on-campus interviews. She regularly distributes job and internship opportunities with program coordinators and students through creative marketing and an engaging bi-weekly Career Services newsletter.
Harding oversees the Career Closet located within the Career Services office. The closet is a collection of carefully curated business clothing that students can borrow for job interviews, career fair attendance, and class presentations. The Career Closet is an initiative that levels the playing field for all students to look their best as they pursue their careers. She has endeavored to increase the inventory and ensure that it is size-inclusive so that all students walk away looking their best.
Harding has over sixteen years of experience as an administrative assistant and office manager and has found her passion in Career Services, connecting students and employers to their mutually beneficial futures. Her background is in healthcare and higher education. Her strengths include event planning, marketing, effective and timely communication, and collaboration.