Ryan E. Brown knows how to work in the real world. The University of North Georgia (UNG) student worked as an assistant to a chocolatier, restaurant manager and car detailer during high school.
"I worked 50-60 hours a week in high school," said Brown, who continued successfully to balance work and school during his freshman year at UNG.
His many jobs led him to choose business marketing with a minor in public relations as his major.
"You can really use a business degree in any facet in the workforce," he said, crediting one of his bosses with inspiring him to choose a business career. "My boss took me under his wing and helped me out. He taught me that someone has to do the paperwork and balance the books because that's how people get paid."
His former boss is not the only one who has influenced the 19-year-old originally from New Jersey who lives in Dahlonega. His orientation leader, Jillian Walker, inspired him to follow in her footsteps and share what he has learned with incoming freshmen.
"During my orientation, I saw that she was ready, willing and able to take you under her wing and guide you through the process," he said.
Brown said she answered questions about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), scholarships, class registration, housing options and student life. She also always answered his phone calls and acted as a lifeline.
"She was willing and able to help throughout the year," he said.
Brown then had his chance to do the same for the freshmen for 2019-20 in his role as an orientation leader.
Brown works on all five campuses, because he is familiar with them. He spent his first semester on the Cumming Campus and second on the Gainesville Campus. In fall 2019, he began taking classes on the Dahlonega Campus.
"They are all different and have their own environments," Brown said, adding he chose UNG because of its friendly atmosphere. "There was a welcoming environment on campus. The students, faculty and staff were willing to let an outsider in and then become an insider."
He provided the same kind of welcoming attitude and use his connections with students across campuses as a way to encourage freshmen to become involved with different organizations. He plans to take his own advice.
"I will slow down at work and get more involved on campus," he said, explaining he intends to participate in Multicultural Student Affairs, Student Government Association, and other groups, including starting his own club.
"I want my resume to be a mile long," he said.
