Alumni & Friend - Erin Buitendorp
LCC Alumnus
I began my college career as an art and design major, but it seemed a little too isolating for me. I was still searching for what I really wanted to do. Friends recommended LCC and the college had a great reputation, so I came down here just for support in choosing a field. I was so comfortable talking to the LCC counselors, and they helped me appreciate what they do. I soon realized college counseling was the field I wanted to go into. They lined up my classes, LCC accepted a lot of my credits, and it was all a smooth process.
A lot of high school students, first-year college students, or nontraditional students are afraid or unsure of college, but they shouldn't be. They can do it. They just need the kind of help and support my LCC counselors and advisors gave me. This is a grand adventure, something that you shouldn't be afraid of. This is going to be fun, and a lot of hard work, and it's going to lead you on the right path. And the help and feeling of ease I got as a student, that's what I want to give back to others. With that in mind, I'm now working on my Masters in College Counseling at Western Michigan University.
I think LCC always seems one step ahead and very innovative. And now they've
built the University Center - six Michigan colleges and
universities housed there, offices and classrooms. It's going to be a tremendous
help to a lot of people who can now continue their education because they can do
it locally. Because of the help from LCC, the University Center and Western
Michigan University, I have gone from an associate, to bachelors, and now my
masters.
I don't see myself ever not going to school, or at least learning something
somewhere - going to a community college, or university, taking some night
classes...dance, art, language, whatever. I'm like a sponge. I love to learn, I
like to soak it all in.
