» Staff Profiles » Heather Bowers
Email: hbowers2@utk.edu
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Degree: Senior in Plant Sciences, Landscape Design
Job: Administrative Specialist, specializing in Main Front Desk Support
Office Location: SSC Volunteer
Profile
What are you currently studying and how did you choose it?
I’m currently studying Landscape Design. I switched to Landscape Design from Fine Art after taking the Strong Interest Inventory test online at Career Services. The test helped me realize that I enjoy Fine Art more as a hobby rather than a career.
What do you enjoy most with working with UT undergrads?
Helping them! I like being able to show them what they are looking for and see them feeling better when they leave rather than when they came in feeling lost, stressed or upset.
What is the most important advice you would give new students?
This one is tough, but I guess information-wise I would say to try to keep the same advisor every semester and to make their advising appointments early… like the third week of classes. Emotion-wise, I would say whenever they are feeling lost, nervous, scared, alone (any of the things you might feel when adjusting to a new environment) to stop and remember so many of their classmates are feeling exactly the same way.
Where is your top study spot on campus?
I love the Commons, the only problem is that they need to make it much bigger since it’s not always easy to find a computer available.
Why should students take advantage of the SSC?
Because they can come to us with any questions they have no matter how silly or stupid they think they are. We might not know the answer to everything, but we can definitely find someone on campus who does know.