Name: Melissa McBrayer
Majors Advised: Psychology (During my first two years at PSU I advised for Sociology and Criminology)
Hometown: Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Educational Background:I went to Millersville University in Millersville, PA for a degree in Speech Communication with an option in Public Relations. My thought entering college was, “I want to work with people” and “I am a good communicator”. I learned though an internship in my junior year that this was not the career for me because I spent more of my time drafting press releases than interacting with people. Fortunately, my experiences outside of the classroom led me to an internship in the Office of Student Programs for senior year and that led me to apply for a Masters in Student Affairs in Higher Education program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I really enjoyed multiple areas of Student Affairs. I’ve worked in residence life, student activities and orientation programs. My favorite aspect of each of these positions was working with my student leaders; Residence Hall Assistants, Programming Board Chairs and Orientation Leaders. Each of these taught me something that I am able to bring to my work in academic advising. I find academic advising the most fulfilling because my attention is not split between my programming efforts and the students immediate needs. I love that I now get so spend 90% of my day interacting with students.
Something most students don’t know about you: I’m a dancer. I danced in a Lionette like dance team at Millersville, choreographed the dance portions of musicals for my high school and taught ballet to 4 and 5 year olds during both high school and college.
If you could do college over again: I wouldn’t hesitate to change my major and would know exploration of majors in a normal and healthy part of college. Early in my sophomore year, I had doubts that I was in the right field and wanted to change my major to Elementary Education. However, I decided it might set me back and keep me from graduating on time to change majors. I also had fears about the job market. I learned that it’s important to follow your passion because in the end I changed anyway by getting a master’s degree in a college of education.
What you like most about your job: I can’t choose just one. I love the variety, the fast pace, the satisfaction of helping others and watching students grow. If you force me to choose, it would have to be that college is a dramatic time of transition in our lives and I am honored to be a part of that time of transition for so many students.