Patricia L. (Schramek) Minta, RD, LD

'85 FCSD - “Do what you love to do!”

I don't see much point in going into a career that you don't love.  That said, not every job that we have from the moment we graduate with our degree is going to be our ideal job.  However, every job has unique opportunities to learn new things, and branch out into different areas that still fall under our degree.  A degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as the other degrees offered by the Family and Consumer Science department at Bradley University, has so much potential.  There are many different areas in which we can work, and in which we can thrive.  We can carve out our own career, individualized to our distinct interests.

I have worked in hospitals, outpatient settings, and long-term care facilities; I am currently in private practice.  I own Nutrition and Wellness Consulting.  I have individual clients with which I work to help them meet their nutritional goals...but I also do a great deal of public speaking to many different groups.  This past year I have spoken to 14 different MOPS (Mothers of Pre Schoolers) groups, several men's groups, been a featured speaker for several sessions of a new fitness program, and I also speak to groups at restaurants and hotels.  My passion and concern for the health of our families, and especially the health of our children, drove me to write my book, "Mom, What's for Dinner?" The No-Stress, No-Nonsense Guide to Planning and Preparing Fantastic Fare for your Family.  I have also established web sites for my business, which can be found at the following: www.momwhatsfordinner.net and www.nutritionandwellnessconsulting.com.

I thoroughly enjoyed my college days at Bradley.  The instructors and counselors within the Department of Family and Consumer Science (which was the department of Home Economics then) all had a genuine interest in helping each one of us succeed.  I remember sitting in Mrs. Gilgan's class to learn about nutrition and how food works in our bodies; or in her office while she meticulously reviewed the courses I needed to complete my major in Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as in my minor, which was Business Administration.  I switched majors my sophomore year after having been a Business Administration major, and she advised me that I should definitely continue with the business courses that would complete my minor.   Her advice and encouragement, the education she gave me within my coursework, and her help in securing an internship has helped shape me into the professional that I am today.  I am confident in my career choice, and confident enough in business to own my own practice and write and publish my own book.

Jennifer (Brower) Pearce

'98 – FCS F - “I love how the internet is dynamic, with new technologies constantly emerging.”

I am currently taking an extended leave from work to enjoy my son, Keaton, who was born in September, 2004.  Up until his birth, I worked as the Online Merchandise Manager for Spiegel.  My responsibility was to present and promote the merchandise being sold on Spiegel.com.  Our merchandise assortment consisted of apparel and accessories, home goods, fine jewelry, and electronics.   Since our customer could not reach out and “touch” the product, I used both the artwork and copy to make the merchandise come to life. Some of the art we used could be picked-up from our catalog, but other merchandise was photographed again, specifically for online use.  I further supervised web site enhancements such as zoom technology, which allows a customer to zoom in on a picture in order to see the detail, and color swatching, which allows the customer to see the merchandise in all of the available colors. Spiegel sent out weekly emails to promote our merchandise, of which I was responsible for determining the overall theme and content, and coordinating our sales and promotions.  Organizing a web site is similar to managing an actual store.

I enjoyed working in the online arena because it is expectedly emerging to be the new retail frontier.  Online sales have continuously grown and will account for 7.7% of total retail sales in 2005.  I love how the internet is dynamic, with new technologies constantly emerging.

One of the most important things I learned working at Spiegel was to always keep your customer in the forefront of your mind.  Consider her needs when making decisions.  While in a women's apparel buying position, I constantly reminded myself that while I may not have personally liked some of the merchandise, that does not mean that our customer's would not have loved it!

The most helpful class I took at Bradley was Importing and Exporting.   A lot of the merchandise sold today in the US is manufactured in foreign countries; as a buyer, it is essential to understand the importing process.  I also believe the various group projects I participated in helped me to understand the dynamics of working with others.

I truly loved working on the hallway display window during my time at Bradley.  It was rewarding to see a project come together, and to watch how people responded to your marketing ideas.

Jan (Farmer) Deissler

'62 HME - “I loved, and still do love, Bradley University."

I like the fact that no two days are alike, that I am involved in a ‘helping profession' and see the people we are helping, that the professional development we provide improves the lives of children in early childhood programs and the people with whom I work.

It is important to be well-grounded in your major field of study, as well as in general studies and humanities.  Equally important is to develop an “I can” attitude about life in general.  A positive attitude and a sense of humor will take you far in the world of work.  It has been said that an employer can provide a new employee with information and education, but changing an attitude is difficult if not impossible.  Be appreciative of the fine professors and others who are a part of your education. 

All of the wonderful people that I met while attending Bradley University in 1960 are still near and dear in my heart; but there is one incident that I would say was my most embarrassing, but also one of my most important life lessons learned at Bradley.  I was in a laboratory class and each student was to be working silently on our individual projects.  Two of us pulled our chairs together and proceeded to visit in a low tone of voice.  The professor said something to the effect, “This is not the time for a talking session.  It is a time to work.”  I was embarrassed, hurt and a little angry.  Almost immediately the tears came, and the instructor came over to me and said, “I think you are tired and maybe you'd like to go back to your room and rest.”  I did leave and I did a lot of thinking about that.  Still 44 years later I think about that and am thankful that an adult professional cared enough about me to remind me of the task at hand and then to be sensitive to my feelings. 

I am thankful that the outstanding professors in the Home Economics Department, now Family & Consumer Science, ensured the refining of our professional persona as it was an innate part of the program.   Still today I notice when people apply for a professional position or work in a profession who do not dress appropriately, who are less than polite to customers/clients, or whose body language says, “I'd rather not be here dealing with you.”  In addition, the student activities which the faculty members encouraged me to be involved with were essential in developing my confidence to take a leadership role.  I loved, and still do love, Bradley University.  It is such an important part of my adopted hometown.  The Family & Consumer Science Department has evolved and changed with the times and is a viable program on the Hilltop, thanks to wonderful leadership. 

Julie Zgonina, Class of 2002, Retail Merchandising with Marketing Minor
Julie began her job as the men's interior stylist for the Visual Merchandising/Display Department of Nordstrom's Oak Brook store, to help maintain Nordstrom's high visual standards for the entire men's department. Now Julie is the women's classic stylist.  She oversees nine departments within the store, helping with department events and assisting departments with merchandising focal areas.  She works closely with a group of five other designers; together they help create and maintain the Nordstrom image!

Natalie Bartusek Bonetti, Class of 1994, Foods, Nutrition, and Dietetics
Captain Natalie Bonetti was among an elite group of Air Force captains to complete an Air Force Intern Program at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.  She completed assignments at the Air Force surgeon general's office and several others as she finished her master's degree in organizational management at George Washington University. Currently, Captain Bonetti serves as the health promotion flight commander in the Health and Wellness Center at F.E. Warren Air Force Base.  She is part of a group that is pilot-testing a new weight- and fitness-management program.  Captain Bonetti is the first FCS graduate to be named the outstanding young graduate at Bradley University. Ceremonies will be held to honor Captain Bonetti during Founder's Day in October 2006.

Rachel Coolman, Class of 2001, Foods, Nutrition, and Dietetics
A former Mildred Arnold Scholar, Rachel obtained registered dietitian status in 2002 after a one-year dietetic internship at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics and became licensed in North Carolina in 2002. She had worked as a sports and exercise nutrition consultant at Millennium Health and Fitness Club while she obtained her MPH in nutrition from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.  Rachel is currently working at the Cooper Institute in Dallas, TX .

Charla L. Draper, Class of 1973, General Family and Consumer Sciences
A nationally recognized food expert and owner of IT'S FOOD BIZ!, a marketing consulting firm with an impressive client list, Charla is the former food editor of Ebony magazine and a contributor to several publications.   She has written for Fast and Healthy and City & Suburban Styles magazines and the Chicago Sun-Times, and has appeared on the WMAQ-TV Morning News Show, and WLS-TV's Chicagoing program.  She is currently working for Southern Living in Birmingham , AL.

Karen Gardner, Class of 2000, Family and Consumer Sciences Education
Karen is in her fifth year of teaching and is currently at Morton Community High School.  She teaches consumer education, a required course for every student at her school, and food science, which fulfills a science requirement for high school graduation.  Karen also serves as a co-sponsor of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

Maureen Kremer, Class of 1992, Foods, Nutrition, and Dietetics
Maureen works at Kraft Foods in Glenview, Ill.  Her current responsibilities include writing and editing nutrition and fitness articles and creating tips for Kraft's consumer Web site.   She is also involved in marketing Kraft's Healthy Living principles. She received her master's in exercise science at the University of Nebraska in 1997, and is just a dissertation shy of receiving her PhD in nutrition, also from Nebraska.