brittany nicole

Okay so I’ve been working in Higher Ed since 2014. I can’t believe I’ve managed to stay in the field but please know that I have loved nothing more than the people that I work with and the students that I serve. The money is not why anyone stays in Higher Ed, unless you’re making VP money- Dean level money- President money- Nick Saban money.

Most in my line of work stay because they’e passionate about what they do or they have a family and the holiday breaks ARE A BLESSING!

So I thought today I’d come on and answer the top 10 questions I get about being a professional in higher education:

1. Did you always want to work in Higher Education?

No. I graduated from the University of North Alabama as a Human Environmental Sciences major with a concentration in fashion merchandising and a minor in mass communications. I barely graduated because I chose what I thought would be an “easier” minor. Boy was I wrong. And it almost cost me. But basically I couldn’t land an interview in the fashion field. EVERYONE said I needed more experience and ya girl had bills to pay so I couldn’t keep workin at internships/retail jobs making the bare minimum or nothing at all. I looked at my resume and saw how involved I actually was as an undergrad student. And could only hope and pray that someone in this field would hire me. I never planned on staying, but here I am 6 years later.

2. Why don’t you move to Tuscaloosa, AL?

So I thought long and hard about how I answer this question without taking up too much of your time. The short answer is that I’ve tried to reside in Tuscaloosa 3 times. When I accepted my first job in October 2017, only 2 apartments had open availability coming up. No one had any openings for a girl that was starting a job on campus in a week. The second time I tried, the girl who had been so responsive about taking over her lease stopped communicating with me by phone or text. The third time I tried, this place in Birmingham that was going to be much more affordable (for my small budget at the time) popped up the day I was supposed to go sign my lease in Tuscaloosa. So just maybe God is keeping me in Birmingham, AL.

3. Do you ever see Nick Saban on campus?

No I have never seen Nick Saban on campus in the 3 years that I’ve been working at The University o f Alabama. I have ran into some football players but shockingly, I’ve never had a “fan girl” moment. Sometimes I wave and sometimes I just smile because I recognize a familiar face. I’ve never asked for a picture or an autograph. But I did get a tour of Mal Moore Athletic Facility and guess whose office I got to walk around in? Nick Saban (thank God for that golf tournament that day lol)

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4. Do you get free tickets to any athletic events?

To football games, no. But because I work in the Division of Student Life, I can work as a game-day partner in the student section. I have done this for the last 2 years but I’m unsure if I’ll sign up next year. It’s honestly not horrible. And you get paid like $75/$85 (before taxes, my friend) and you get free concessions. So I count it as a win win for myself. The Athletics department also creates Faculty/Staff appreciation nights for other athletic teams and I try my best to go on those nights. Please keep in mind that there’s not much I stay on campus for because I do have to drive to Birmingham, so currently I’ve only been to Basketball games and Softball games.

5. Don’t you get tired of making an hour commute to work?

No, I actually enjoy my commute to work. I’m not a morning person but I’ve gotten better. I ride in silence on some days, I listen to motivational speakers/YT content, I also sing like no one is watching. I was a recruiter for the first 3 years and I was always on the road. I think my body has adjusted to being on the road and yes, my back lets me know when it’s been a long week. I gathered feedback from my followers on Instagram and 67% of those who participated in the poll stated that they could manage a 1 hour commute to work daily. I also wanted to share some of the responses I received about those who do/would be willing to make the commute:

6. Do you date other professionals on the job/in the field?

No. I have never dated anyone that I work with or that works at the same university that I work at. The dating life in the professional world is already complicated and I don’t need to forcing myself to take the longer routes because I’m trying to ignore the guy down the hall. I don’t think I will ever be open to this concept. Not judging those who do it. It’s a thing, just not my thing.

7. Why don’t you work at an HBCU?

I’ve applied for career opportunities at 4 or 5 different HBCUs and I’ve never received an interview at any of those institutions.

8. What do your students think of you?

Depends on who you ask. The students who I don’t directly advise will probably say that I’m sweet. The students who I advise would probably say I’m always trying to hold them accountable with little to no slack given. I try to be relatable and encouraging. I take pride in being available and willing to serve in any capacity that will help my students (or their events) be successful. What I would hope is that each student knows that I believe in them and will support them and advocate for them with no hesitation

9. Do you want to do anything else?

Yes, that’s the goal. I’ve been in higher ed for the last 6 years and would love to branch out after I reach the 10 year mark. I want to incorporate my love for writing and creating content into my next career adventure. I also wouldn’t mind blogging full time. For now though, I’ve never been more grateful to be in this space where I love what Ido and they pay me just enough to eat good when I want. #goals

10. Do you have any regrets thus far?

If granted the opportunity, I would go back and embrace the unknown that came with each job. I used to run from projects that would challenge me or require more of me or place me in the spotlight. I’ve grown so much in this field. I’m a better person because of it. I get the opportunity to serve others daily.

I don’t regret taking any opportunity because each job prepped me for the next. It’s a blessing for sure to be at The University of Alabama because I was born into a single-parent household and my mom only received her high school diploma. She pushed me to be successful and I’ve always wanted to make her proud of me. I hope she knows that with each opportunity that I’m granted, it’s because of her hard work and commitment and dedication that I can maneuver in these spaces (with confidence) that may not have been created for people with my background.

I’m just a girl from Florence, AL who wanted more out of life and God saw fit to open doors for me that I wouldn’t have known were even within reach. I also have never had trouble knowing when my time is up on a job. Things start to get uncomfortable for me and for the people that I would normally work so well with. Because I have never wanted to stay in a place out of comfortability or familiarity. In closing, I’d encourage you to…