Rochester Institute of Technology
Bachelors, Nuclear Medicine and Psychology
Melissa Kessler
ManagerAcademic and Financial Support
Assistant Director Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Rochester Institute of Technology
Academic Support Center and University Studies Adjunct Faculty
Rochester Institute of Technology
Recruitment, Placement and Financial Aid Advisor
Rochester Regional, Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing
I started my career in education working for a hospital-based nursing school more than 25 years ago. I was also an adult student and working on a Bachelors in Nuclear Medicine, so I know how difficult it is to manage a full-time job, family and school.
I also know what it’s like to struggle with a career path as I changed my major in my senior year during my last clinical rotation. Thanks to a great career counselor, I realized what I liked about healthcare was working with the students at my nursing school. I wanted to help people like me, so I went on to obtain a Masters in Career and Human Resource Development. I continued my path in education working at Rochester Institute of Technology for nearly 15 years as an assistant director of financial aid and adjunct faculty. I loved the faculty position working with students that were unclear on their career paths, struggling with college life or just new to college.
I joined Bright Horizons in 2016 as a Financial Coach for College Coach and joined the EdAssist finance coaching team in 2018. I found my career gold in counseling client employees on their healthcare career path. I enjoy discussing their goals, intended education programs and suggesting new career directions. I also assist them in finding education programs that meet their academic and financial needs. I love that I am on both the academic and financial teams; you can find the perfect program, but if it’s not affordable for the employee it’s no longer the perfect program.
Rochester Institute of Technology
Masters, Career and Human Resource Development
As an adult taking classes, you may have some advantages over your younger peers: clearer goals for school and your career, but it’s also likely you have more responsibilities. Research has shown you’re nearly three times more likely to stick with your goals if you make a specific plan for when, where, and how you’ll work on them. Set attainable goals but allow the flexibility to reassess and change them as needed. Give yourself some grace!
Get to Know Me
Melissa Kessler has been in the education field for more than 30 years, and her passion for the work that she does as an academic advisor is palpable in each and every coaching session. Due to her vast experience and knowledge, Melissa is the "Google" of the EdAssist academic coaching team!