My Story

A headshot of Ellen Bremen. She is wearing a dark pink sweater and smiling. She has dark blond hair and kind eyes.

I’ve been there—I’m a first-generation college student who struggled, failed, and fell into the wrong career.

At 20, I floundered, directionless, through core classes at my junior college. Then, my father suddenly died at 51. I didn’t who to turn to for support, so I dropped out—for six years.

In high school, I’d dreamed of a career in journalism, but my parents divorced when I was 15, and they had no college plan for me, financially or otherwise. In fact, I left high school early and finished through correspondence courses. A secretary handed me my diploma.

After my abrupt college exit, I landed work with a skill my mother taught me when I was young: typing. She was a home-trained secretary back in the day and said, “If you know how to type, you’ll always have work.”

She was right. A doctor’s office hired me to type medical notes, which later grew into a career in medical transcription. I even owned a small business contracting with multiple doctors. By age 24, I bought a home, something even my parents had never done.

I should have felt successful. I turned my life around. Yet I was miserable and isolated. I’m an extrovert. Working from home was atypical back then. I didn’t choose this path. Circumstance chose it for me. Of course, I was financially stuck. I couldn’t stop working, and I couldn’t change careers without returning to school. But to do what?

Then, a turning point: I started teaching continuing ed courses on transcription at my local two-year college. That led to a part-time teaching job in the Health Information Management department.

Bingo! I loved teaching. Could I be a college professor? Not so fast. Professors need an advanced degree. I had no degree and an awful transcript.

I started talking to people at my former two-year college and at my incoming university. I hatched a plan to improve my transcript and get my education completed in record time. I worked full-time and in four years, I completed my two-year degree (A.A.), a Bachelor’s degree, and a Master’s degree in Communication Studies. After graduating, I landed a tenure-track teaching job.

So, I can relate. I’ve been in academic turmoil. I was stuck in the wrong profession. I didn’t know how to turn it around for a long time. I promised myself that if I ever reached my teaching goal, I’d become the support that I so desperately needed.

Traditional college admissions and career planning do not fit every situation. There are many ways to go about an educational plan and a career. Wherever you are in the process, we will partner to creatively and efficiently chart your unique path.

Qualifications

Since 2004, I am tenured faculty with an academic/career advising caseload in the Communication Studies Department at Highline College. Prior, I had the same role at Darton College, a two-year unit of the University of Georgia system where I earned an Advisor of the Year award. 

My daily work involves teaching soft skills for employability—all areas of communication, leadership, organizational development. My field requires me to remain updated on career trends, including job acquisition.

In my advising role, I guide individuals from age 16 to mid-career professionals who are navigating academic or career transitions. I have expertise in transfer pathways to universities, direct-to-career professional-technical programs, and nontraditional academic options, including Running Start.

As a higher education employee for nearly 25 years, I am a resourceful advocate and a clearer of red tape—whatever it takes to keep students on track for their goals.

I have an M.A. in Communication Studies and a B.S. in Post-Secondary Education/Workforce Development, both from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I hold a hard-earned A.A. degree from College of Southern Nevada.

I’ve earned three national awards for innovation from the National Council of Instructional Administrators, the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, and the Sloan-Consortium. I’ve authored a book called, “Say This, Not That to Your Professor: 20 Talking Tips for College Success” (Cognella, Pearson). My advice on college success has appeared in USA Today, the Washington Post, and U.S. News & World Report. 

Publications

Say This Not That to Your Professor: 20 Talking Tips For College Success

Readers learn how to communicate professionally in common classroom situations, such as overcoming grade confusion, respectfully challenging a professor, dealing with zeroes and extra credit, and managing late work or absences.

Photograph of a college library and books on communication

College101: Communication
is Critical in Online Classes, Too

If communication between students and professors is important in a face-to-face class, it’s downright critical in an online class. Without in-person, in-class nudges from profs, online students can quickly fall behind; some remain terminally behind.

6 Things You Should Say
to Your Professor

You’re in a bind or you’re confused. What should you say to your professor?

Everything you read about speaking to professors warns that you shouldn’t tick them off, ruin their impression of you, or say something to sink you further.

  • "Our son was uncertain about higher education and high school until I happened to connect with Ellen in a mom’s group. Ellen helped to demystify and untangle the options available to high schoolers looking for a non traditional path forward. Ellen talked us through connecting to a program, college policies, and when/how to self advocate along the way. Thanks to Ellen, our son is getting ready to graduate high school and college with an AAS in the same year!"

    C.D.

  • "As I was receiving my college decision letters, getting directly accepted into the major was essential. I got accepted to my college, but not to the major I applied for, which would automatically cross it off the list. I didn’t know what to do since the college inner workings seemed impossible to navigate. Ellen immediately knew the people who could answer questions and helped me successfully deal with an appeal. This is one of the biggest reasons I am now in the program/major at my school. Ellen has the behind-the-scenes experience to open doors to more possibilities."

    B.T.

  • "My daughter doesn't fit the traditional mold of a student bound for a university. She was about to graduate high school without having applied anywhere and didn’t know what she wanted to do. Ellen interviewed my daughter and immediately helped her come up with an educational path and a potential career goal She’s helped my daughter access resources, make connections, and understand all the possible next steps. She is always available when we have questions and my daughter responds so much better to someone who isn't "mom." We are so thankful to have Ellen as our guide!"

    L.G.

Let’s Plan Together