Staff Spotlight
Melissa Wood, M.Ed.
College Consultant Director
When you think about the students you love working with most, what qualities or moments make you say, “This is why I do this work”?
There are multiple parts to my job that bring me joy and reinforce why I do what I do.
When students come in with ZERO clue as to what they want to study in college or what they want to be when they "grow-up", that is when we have to do a deep dive. I really look at their courses, clubs and organizations they are a part of, and what really makes them "tick". It is when we have these conversations, the students are able to come to the conclusion and find the "right" major that is going to bring them joy and really push them in college. I had a senior this year that started with me in August, and she really didn't know what she wanted to major in, so I capitalized on her activity list and resume to find the "right fit". She was editor of her school newspaper, competed on the debate team, interned over the summer for a group in public policy, and volunteered for a number of organizations where she was able to use her skills in writing and leadership. Low-and-behold, she ended up apply to a number of schools wanting to major in Public Policy and has since been accepted to some very prestigious programs.
Another aspect of my job that brings me joy is when my students are reporting back on where they have been accepted to college. The application process is so long and at times stressful, but it's when the first admission decision comes in, and they realize "someone wants ME!", that is what makes me smile and sharing in their joy!
When things start to feel overwhelming for families, what do you usually remind them to help everyone take a breath and reset?
I like to start out my initial meetings by setting the expectations and laying the groundwork on how we are going to manage stress and get across the "finish line."
I simply remind my families that this is a JOURNEY, not a sprint to the finish, as each action item assigned will be a work in progress until we actually submit the application. Taking everything in small, bite-sized chunks makes it so that no one aspect of the process seems too large and overwhelming, this is not only for the scholar but for parents as well.
When my students start to feel overwhelmed, I simply remind them that we take things slow for a reason, to avoid the panic. When we do things in small chunks, nothing is too big that we can't break down, master, and move on to the next "thing". I believe it is because of this methodology that my students are successful, have their applications submitted in September, and have a fairly stress-free senior year.
When you are not deep in essays, planning sessions, or brainstorming summer ideas, what helps you unplug and recharge?
Having grown up in a very sports-centric family, where as a kid, we were allowed to try out everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING. My parents gave us every opportunity, from swimming, to softball, to running, to playing an instrument, to find our "thing". Well, it was through these experiences that I landed on two things that I have carried through to my adult life, Baseball & Golf.
Each year, my sister and I take a "Sister Trip" somewhere across the US. Now, these aren't just any ol' trip; these trips also incorporate baseball games and a new park we haven't visited! As you can see we have been to a number of ballparks together, and will continue to visit more parks as we cheer on our home team - The Houston Astros.
The second thing that helps me unplug and rechage on a weekly basis is playing golf with the ladies or with the hubs. When I married my husband, one of our common factors, other than playing music, was that we both enjoyed playing golf. Well, not just playing golf, but competing against and with each other at different tournaments. Most of our vacations are determined around which golf courses we want to play and where we haven't been in a "while". Our favorite courses tend to be in the California Dessert, mostly in the LaQuinta area. Because we have no children of our own, we take our golf clubs, where they enjoy playing around in the grass and sand on any golf course we can find.