October 23, 2003

Staff profile: Michelle Bledsoe

Title: Program assistant for the Walter P. Murphy Cooperative Education Program in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

photo by Mary Hanlon

What do you do on the job? The program assists undergraduate engineering students in finding a co-op with placement at a company. Once placed with an employer, the students in this program alternate school and work. We assist them in their job search process. Some of my specific responsibilities include monitoring the student database, handling quarterly registration/grades, scheduling appointments for the advisors/directors and acting as the student/advisor liaison.

What were you doing before you came to Northwestern? I was in market research for eight years, working at night. Before that, I was in school. When my son Brandon was born three years ago, I then needed to work days. I started as a temp and soon became full-time.

Where did you go to school? I went to Southern Illinois University for two years and also Oakton Community College where I earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts. I’m thinking of going back to school to study nutrition. I’d like to become a dietitian who specializes in helping people who have diabetes. I have three friends who have had a parent die of diabetes. I’d like to teach people how to manage the disease through diet.

What do you do for fun? I like to go to the movies. I also work as a caterer on the side. I really do love food and watching how food is made. I could also see myself owning a catering business.

What’s most important to you? I always try to spend as much quality time with my family as possible. My mom always had two jobs, but she made time for me when I was a child. I want to do the same for my son. He is the best thing that ever happened to me. He makes me want to be a better person so I can be a role model to him the same way my mom was to me.

— Katharine Duke