Brandee Holliday

Brandee plans on taking a gap year and taking the LSAT to enter law school next year.

What is your favorite memory from your time at WVU Tech?

Making my best friends! When I first came here, I had other friends, but we were all going in different directions. Nobody I went to school with or knew was doing history, but that’s what I was excited about – meeting other people who were interested in the same things I was.

What did you enjoy most about the history and government program?

Finding things I’m passionate about. Some of the titles of the classes sounded scary and intimidating. I ever thought some of them would be things I enjoyed, but by the end of the class I would love it. In turn, it made me think about things critically and understand stuff going on around the world. I enjoyed the government aspect of my political science minor too, which was something I was already passionate about, but it really solidified my passion for. For a bit, I thought I wanted to do government or corporate law, but now I realize there’s so many things I can do and I think that’s super cool.

How did Tech prepare you for the future?

I would say it’s prepared me by making connections with people who have lived completely different lives. They speak different languages, have different family dynamics, and it’s opened my eyes more to life than what we’re exposed to. It’s taught me how you work with other people and deal with people from other places and backgrounds. Being around people who aren’t just like you is the best way to learn and it makes me excited to work with different kinds of people.

Which person at Tech has had the biggest impact on your college experience? How has that person helped you?

Dr. Brown! He’s really encouraged and guided me. The political science minor was a lot of credit hours but he really helped me make sure I got in all those extra classes. He also has helped prepare me for law school. Dr. Holly is great and pushed me when I needed it. Dr. Rakes also helped fuel my passion for history.

As a soon-to-be graduate, what is your best advice for incoming students?

Don’t get overwhelmed. You’re going to find your people. You’re going to find people who enjoy the same things as you and that will make the experience so much more enjoyable. Also, have a relationship with your professors. Go to their office hours and be involved. Join clubs – there are plenty of things available to you, you just need to find it! And have fun.

What will you miss most about Tech?

I will miss the campus a lot because it’s so tight-knit and a small community. Everybody is really friendly and I’ll miss my professors. Every single person I’ve ever come to with a question has helped me out in more ways than one. Not knowing who you can go to is not a thing here and I will miss that.