Career Roadmap
Michelle's work combines: Education, Non-Profit Organizations, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Kokomo Christian School
Bachelor's Degree
Religion/Religious Studies
Denison University
Graduate Degree
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
Ball State University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors:
Bachelor's Degree: Religion/Religious Studies
Graduate Degree: Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
College - I applied to 3 schools, and chose to attend Denison University
2.
Switch Majors - I started college as a pre-law student, and quickly realized that wasn't the right fit for me. So I changed to a Religion Major with a Psychology minor
3.
Work Experience - I got a job working as an intern in the university Admissions Office and started volunteering at a local college access non-profit
4.
AmeriCorps - I wanted some real life experience before going to grad school, so I applied to college access AmeriCorps programs and took a position with College Forward in Austin, TX
5.
Build Network - the most important thing I did as an AmeriCorps member was work hard and build my professional network. The people I worked with trusted and respected me, which opened doors for me!
6.
Graduate School - after realizing my passion for college access, I chose to pursue a masters degree in Student Affairs Administration at Ball State University
7.
Dream Job - An opening for a College Advising position fell into my lap thanks to the connections I had built before earning my masters degree. I jumped on it and love my job!
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Parents:
Why are you majoring in religion? It doesn't lead to a clear career path.
How I responded:
My mom was right: my major (religious studies) did not lead to a direct career path in the same way that an architecture degree can lead to a career in architecture. But I was passionate and interested in the subject I was studying, which led to a really strong GPA. So I stuck with it and enjoyed my studies. More important than your major is the skills you will developed in college through internships, leadership roles, group projects, and jobs. Those things will carry a future job interview!
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
My parents did not have money to help me pay for college - I had to work all through college, and every summer, to earn money to stay in school.