About the 20 Stories Series
To celebrate 20 years of impact, we're sharing 20 stories from the people who’ve made our journey possible. From past participants to longtime partners, these voices reflect the heart of our program. Each story highlights the voices, experiences, and milestones that shaped our community. This is one of them.
How did your AdviseVA adviser support you with planning for your life after high school?
My AdviseVA adviser helped me navigate the Common App, informed me about the FAFSA, and spread the word about Virginia College Application Week (which saved me close to $75 when applying to Virginia Tech)! Some of the Common App questions were difficult to understand, and Ms. Tyree was able to break down the questions for me so I knew how to answer them.
What do you remember about your time with them during your senior year?
I remember Ms. Tyree visited my English class at governor’s school with different advisers from the Danville/Pittsylvania county area, and they gave a presentation about writing college essays. It can be challenging to think of one specific moment that shows off your personality and strengths when applying to schools, but through the guidance of AdviseVA advisers, I was able to pick a topic that I was happy with. I wrote about getting over my fear of roller coasters, and Ms. Tyree reviewed my essay. With her suggestions, I felt confident that my essay reflected who I was and what skills I would bring to college. Ms. Tyree also reserved computer labs after school for students to apply to college during Virginia College Application Week. This was a huge help for me since I didn’t have Wi-Fi at home.
How did you decide to join AdviseVA? Did your experience working with an adviser in high school affect your decision?
I met my adviser my junior year of high school, and I remember she came into my history class one afternoon to introduce herself. Her job sounded so cool, so I stayed after school to talk to her about how she became an adviser and what I would have to do to become one. During this time, I didn’t know what career was a good fit for me. Nothing really stuck out to me. She unlocked a career field for me that I’m still passionate about to this day. She 100% influenced me to become a Pathways Adviser.
What experiences from your time as an adviser so far stand out?
There are lots of ways I can answer this question: Personally, I’ve noticed my growth. I’m more confident when giving presentations. I’m not afraid to ask questions or to chime in to group discussions. I’m in the loop about policies and changes within higher education that make me want to keep pursuing a career in this field. I’ve had many networking and professional development opportunities through AdviseVA that keep me engaged and informed.
Within the program, I work with advisers who are committed to service and postsecondary access. I feel so much support from these advisers as well as program staff. I’m so thankful for AdviseVA because I can honestly say I feel fulfilled when doing my job.
At my site, I’ve noticed how important scholarships are for students and families. I work closely with the scholarship committee and local scholarship sponsors and am involved in the conversations about how to maximize the impact of scholarships for students. One of my favorite events that I coordinated was our Senior Award Night at the end of last school year. During this event, we recognized students who received scholarships and announced local scholarship winners (many of which were a surprise to the seniors)!
I feel so appreciated by both AdviseVA and Charlottesville High School for the work that I do, and being a Pathways Adviser really is a gem of a job.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your time with AdviseVA?
For any recent college grad who isn’t sure what’s next, I’d highly suggest checking out AdviseVA. You don’t need an education background to become an adviser, and you don’t need to plan to stay in education after advising. I’ve learned many transferable skills like event planning, public speaking, and social media management, and I’ve been constantly supported by a great team.