Name: Bri Burley
Age: 19
Major: Psychology and Creative Writing
Relationship status: Taken
Favorite quote: “Dare to love every person, including yourself. Become the energy of love.” -Bryant H. McGill
Her Campus (HC): Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Brianna Burley (BB): I’m a sophomore from Melbourne, Florida, and some of my favorite things include dogs, yoga, painting, the beach, fuzzy socks, Disney, stuffed animals, theatre, and taking pictures.
HC: What are you involved in on campus?
BB: I’m a member of Lady Spirithunters, Best Buddies, and I’m also part of a family group at The Wesley Foundation.
HC: What are some of your favorite things to do in your free time?
BB: You can usually find me at the SLC because I absolutely love movies and getting to see them for free is a dream come true. If I’m not there, I’m probably drinking coffee with friends, writing, hammocking on Landis or in bed watching Netflix.
HC: What are some of your personal ambitions or career goals in life?
BB: I really want to work in an educational setting, either as a teacher or a school psychologist, sharing my passion for social justice with the next generation. I’ve been really lucky to have some teachers and professors who have taught me about life and widened my view of the world, and my ultimate goal is to do the same for others. I would love to influence the future of our world for the better.
HC: What do you think is the biggest problem with the education system?
BB: The biggest problem, in my opinion, is that students are encouraged to take a passive rather than an active role in their education. When we are young, everything is a learning experience and we approach new challenges with creativity and enthusiasm. In elementary school, however, we start to memorize facts and accept the things are teachers are saying without questioning it. It is so important for teachers to make learning an interactive experience, appeal to different learning styles, and allow students to ask questions. If students feel like what they’re learning matters, and if they feel like they are a valuable part of the classroom, they’ll be more motivated to learn.
HC: Tell us about your job at Starbucks?
BB: I usually work as store support, meaning that I’m responsible for tasks like making the coffee, washing dishes, taking out the trash, and making sure that all of the cups, lids, sugars, and milks are well-stocked and fresh. Basically, I do whatever is necessary to keep the store running as smoothly as possible.
HC: What have you learned from working at Starbucks?
BB: It sounds cliché, but I’ve really learned the importance of teamwork. We don’t have a very large workspace, so communication and cooperation are vital. Each employee acts like part of a well-oiled machine to ensure that our Starbucks is the best it can be. A lot of other employers place emphasis on individual tasks and agendas, but it’s amazing how supportive and community-focused the Starbucks family is. We all have to work together and help each other in order for the workplace to function. I’m still pretty new to the job, and I am so thankful for the warmth and patience I’ve experienced.
HC: What do you want people to know about having a job on campus?
BB: Interacting with fellow students in this unique way and having the opportunity to be a source of positivity in the middle of their crazy day is honestly so rewarding. College is about expanding your skill set and meeting new, interesting people. Getting an on-campus job is one great way to do these things.
HC: What Starbucks drink describes you as a person?
BB: I’m going to have to go with an iced coffee with mocha, because it’s everything I want to be in life—sweet, simple, bold and chill.