This past summer, Melissa Rarick interned at Noblesville High School as part of her Building-Level Administrator certification courses at Ball State University. At the same time, Melissa was employed at Noblesville Schools as their counseling coordinator, a district-level counselor administrator position.

Juggling an internship and full-time job as a mom of three kids was a struggle, Melissa said, but learning to prioritize and “stack” her own job load was very beneficial.

“Having a really supportive principal and district administration that allows me to carve out time to do my internship allowed me to grow professionally,” Melissa said.

Melissa enjoyed having the opportunity to focus on the leadership of school educators and how investing in your staff is, “in turn, investing in your students and the culture.”

“We often talk about what’s best for kids at the sacrifice of what’s best for educators and counselors, and it should be a ‘both,’ not an ‘either-or,’” Melissa said.

Since July 2024, Melissa has been the director of counseling at North Central High School. Before she receives her certification in spring 2025, she will finish her internship at Allisonville Elementary School.

Melissa advises students who are worried about balancing classes, jobs, and an internship to be organized.

“I recommend staying on top of your calendars, syllabus, and due dates—map it all out for the semester because it’s the only way I have survived,” Melissa said.