Learn More About Career Counselor Amy Freehafer

Amy Freehafer is a 1989 Hope College graduate, and she has been working at Hope for 7 years. Many students have met with Amy early in their college careers to get help deciding a major, creating a four-year-plan, or discussing their assessment results. She is an excellent resource for students at all stages of their college careers.

Amy has answered 10 questions to give us a little insight into who she is:

1. What is your role at the new Boerigter Center for Calling and Career?

I work a lot with exploratory advising. I help students (and sometimes alumni) figure out a career path, and that includes what to major in. My philosophy is until you understand yourself, it will be hard to figure out where you will go. That leads my work to help students better understand themselves and help them understand how to make choices. I love using StrengthsQuest as a tool to help launch into that conversation.

2. What was your favorite thing to do at Hope College when you were a student here?

My favorite experience was my May-June term with faculty and 19 other students before my senior year. We went to Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, Italy, Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Iceland. I also loved my time spent studying in Philadelphia. My freshman year, I had a really fun cluster and we would go to Pizza Hut at night and get garlic bread with mozzarella cheese for only $1.60!

3. What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to hang out and play with my dogs, I have two Shih Tzus, Mia and Mugsy. I enjoy working outside like gardening and mowing the yard. I also read a lot of fiction, Nora Roberts is my favorite author. I love watching football and watching College Game Day on Saturday mornings with my husband. I also love spending time with my three grandchildren.

4. What is one thing you wish you were really good at?

Speaking Spanish. I wish I could speak Spanish, at least conversationally. Many of my neighbors are native Spanish speakers, and I wish I could meet them where they are and converse in their language.

5. What was the first concert you ever went to?

I saw the Doobie Brothers when I was in 7th grade. We were camping next to these nice ladies who had tickets and offered to take me and a campground friend. They drove us across the state but we could not find our car after the concert, and my dad freaked when we did not get home until super late – thinking the worst because we were out with strangers!

6. Where is one place you have always wanted to visit?

I have always wanted to go to Greece. I have been to quite a few countries in Europe and would also love to back to Ireland – it is so beautiful there.

7. If you could travel time, would you go to the past or the future?

I would go to the past because I would not want to know the future. I would love to see different eras and see what came before. It would help me appreciate more what we have now.

8. What is one movie you have seen multiple times, but never get tired of?

I am a huge Harry Potter fan! I can’t even tell you how many times I have seen all 8 movies. My family and I have even had Harry Potter movie marathons where we watch all 8 movies in a weekend.

9. What is your biggest pet peeve?

Probably passive-aggressive behavior. I would rather have someone be rude and direct vs. the energy it takes navigating whether someone is speaking truths. Some of my favorite clients when I worked in human service were crabby, old men because they always said what was on their mind.

10. What is one thing that most don’t know you have?

That I am a grandparent. Many people think that our grandchildren are our children.  We periodically have all 3 of our grandchildren over and we build forts in the living room and play outside. I always joke that having grandchildren is your reward for not eating your children, but I love being a grandma!

We hope that getting to know our staff members allows others to feel comfortable and encouraged to seek help in the BCCC. Stop on by DeWitt or give us a call at 616.395.7950 to schedule an appointment today!

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