Melissa Kruse spent a decade in Los Angeles, helping people tell their stories through her independent video production company, Bandit Filmworks. With a bachelor’s degree in theater performance, her life revolved around the creative arts, yet, she felt a growing desire to make a different kind of impact.

"I've always been passionate about helping people tell the stories they want to tell," Melissa shared. "I wanted to do something more impactful and one-on-one with people."

After enrolling in the Speech-Language Pathology Post-Baccalaureate Certificate at PennWest to transition into the field, Melissa had a revelation during a clinical observation class. Watching professionals help patients regain their ability to communicate clicked perfectly with her passion for storytelling.

"That is exactly what I felt like was missing for me," she recalled.

Now a student in PennWest's Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, Melissa is proving that you don't have to pause your life to change your career. Expecting her first baby in March and still managing her business, she needed an educational pathway that fit her demanding schedule. PennWest provides flexible programs that are directly connected to real-world opportunities, ensuring education is a stepping stone rather than a roadblock.

"PennWest stood out to me because it was the only asynchronous program I could find that was online," she explained.

While she appreciates the asynchronous coursework, it was PennWest's commitment to hands-on practice that sealed the deal. Melissa is looking forward to traveling to Pennsylvania from the state of California for the week-long Immersive On-Campus Intensive. She said the in-person component will increase her confidence in her skills.

Melissa is drawn to working with adult and geriatric populations, but she remains open to all possibilities as she approaches her clinical externships.

She is grateful to PennWest for equipping students with knowledge in formats that fit their lives, PennWest empowering individuals like her to take control of their futures.

"PennWest's schedule and asynchronous program are exactly what I was looking for," she said.