Since 2008, Andrea Rafferty has enjoyed various positions at Michigan State University.
Originally from the Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, she has worked in several departments on campus but has settled into Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics.
Her duties as the department’s secretary include issuing course overrides, performing degree audits and ordering supplies for the department.
Her favorite task, however, is overseeing the Kedzie Hall computer lab, where Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics students study and work on a daily basis.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Rafferty. “I absolutely love it.”
She said she admires the faculty she works with, as they are kind and make themselves constantly available to their students.
“The students are our customers – they’re our bread and butter,” she said.
Through an online class schedule, Rafferty has been working on a bachelor’s degree in alternative medicine alongside her job as an MSU secretary.
“I have 15 more months and then I graduate,” she said. “It’s always been something I’ve wanted to do.”
Rafferty said she would like to pursue a career in nutritional counseling, but plans on maintaining her position in Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics for as long as she can.