From Students to Staff: BU Graduates Find New Roles On Campus

Photo courtesy of Bluefield University’s Marketing Department

For many college students, graduation means saying goodbye to the campus that has been a huge part of their lives for years. However, for two Bluefield University alumnae, graduation didn’t mean leaving behind BU. Instead, it meant returning to campus in new roles.

For Abbie Justis and Elle Gunter, their journeys at BU have come full circle as they have gone from students to staff members. Although their paths to BU were different, both found opportunities at the university that encouraged them to stay after graduation.

For Gunter, Bluefield has always felt like home. When she was looking to transfer from her previous school, BU was willing to work with her even though she was transferring in late. While convenience played a part in her decision, her experience at BU quickly became about much more than just that.

“I met amazing people and was given so many great opportunities to grow both spiritually and professionally,” Gunter said.

Gunter majored in communications, where she gained hands-on experience that helped prepare her for working in the communications and digital fields. Although she did not originally plan to work for the university after graduating, she knew she wanted to continue her education by earning her master’s degree. When BU came to her about staying to work for them, she saw it as the right opportunity for her. She now serves as campus visit and events coordinator.

Justis’ journey to BU was a little different. She knew from an early age that she wanted to become a music teacher, and several people in her life already had connections to BU. Her high school music teacher was working with the university’s music department, and she also knew students from her church who had studied music and theater at BU. She was encouraged to apply for BU’s Presidential Scholarship, which provided full tuition. After receiving the scholarship, Justis felt confident BU was where she was supposed to be.

“It was a no-brainer when I saw that God had opened the door for me to attend BU in that way,” Justis said.

Justis originally began college as a music education major but later changed to general music with a Christian studies minor. Although her career has taken her in a different direction than she expected, the skills she learned through music have continued to help her. Performing helped her become more comfortable with public speaking and overcome stage fright – important skills for her current position as an admissions counselor.

For both graduates, the transition from student to employee involved some adjustments. Justis said one of the biggest changes was seeing the university from the perspective of an employee rather than a student.

“Possibly the weirdest transition was in seeing myself more as a colleague of people who were once my professors,” Justis said.

Gunter had already worked in the admissions department as a student worker, so she was familiar with many of the people she now works alongside. Even with that familiarity, becoming an employee still felt different. She now sees students on campus who only a short time ago were classmates or teammates.

“It took some time for me to adjust to being an employee rather than a student,” Gunter said.

Gunter’s and Justis’ time at BU also gave them skills they continue to use in their careers. Gunter relies on the communication skills she developed through her major, while Justis uses the public speaking skills and confidence she developed through music. Both have also learned that career growth takes time.

“You’re not expected to know everything as soon as you start,” Justis said. “Learning takes time.”

Gunter learned that communications involves both creativity and technical skills. For both graduates, working at BU has become an opportunity to give back.

“This school poured into me during my time as a student,” Gunter said, “and now I see this as an opportunity to give back to it.”

Justis has found the same fulfillment in watching students she once worked with grow into college students. Justis’ and Gunter’s experiences show that career paths do not always go exactly as planned.

Gunter encourages students to “be open-minded and welcome unexpected opportunities,” while Justis reminds students that they do not need to have their entire future figured out. For both, graduation was not the end of their BU experience but the beginning of a new way of contributing to the university that helped shape them.