Tyler Messel, an alumni from the class of 2019, shared his experience as a student that changed majors and spent a lot of time on campus.
Messel started his college career as an art education major and later changed his major to social work.
“I don’t think I changed because I couldn’t handle the program, mostly I made the change because I found that the art program was sucking the fun out of what I enjoyed about art,” Messel said. “If I could offer any advice to a student that is thinking about changing majors, I would say consider the major that will make you happiest and enjoy the most while in school and as a career.”
While Messel took social work classes, he mentioned a positive impact that Wendy Sellers had on him.
“She is a very inspirational, kind-hearted soul who has the best tips on life and the greatest stories about her own life,” Messel said.
Although he changed majors, Messel shared that he loved taking sculpting classes here at Winthrop.
“Sculpting is my favorite form of art and what I enjoyed doing most prior to joining the art program,” Messel said. “Though the course only required three major projects, it allowed me to push myself in art that I had not yet.”
Another part of Messel’s education while at Winthrop was his involvement with TRiO, “an academic program designed to increase the academic performance, retention rates, and graduate rates of program members,” according to Winthrop’s website.
“Trio was very useful starting out at Winthrop because it gave me the chance to meet a lot of people, some who I was friends with the whole time I was at Winthrop,” Messel said. “The free printing services and tutors were as well, extremely helpful.”
Outside of class, Messel enjoyed the scenery of Winthrop’s campus.
“The thing that I loved most about Winthrop was the scenery the campus had to offer, which naturally provided a calming environment,” Messel said. “Two of my favorite spots around campus were the area surrounding the Little Chapel and the yard in front of McLaurin. Both provided great privacy to get away from the public to relax in the shade or study.”
While at Winthrop Messel also took advantage of the history that Winthrop has to offer.
“I love history and think it is cool being surrounded by it, so I took full advantage of Winthrop’s history in projects whenever it was appropriate,” Messel said. “However, in some cases, such as the name of the main hall at Winthrop [Tillman] and the debate behind it is a part of history that I can say I have a part in, which is just as cool.”
Living on campus in Richardson and Thomson and hanging out with friends was an important part of Messel’s time at Winthrop.
“Living on campus was a fun experience that I’m glad I got to be a part of,” Messel said. “Some of my most favorite memories take place around the tree in front of Richardson and Wofford. Most of the people I met during my time at Winthrop hung around this tree and we hosted many study sessions, picnics, and therapeutic hangout sessions.”
DiGiorgio Student Union’s (DSU) Welcome Week was an event that Messel always looked forward to at the beginning of each school year.
“My favorite event at Winthrop during my first year was the glow rave they held in front of Richardson,” Messel said. “I think it was just a last good chance for students to act crazy and have fun before the semester started.”
Not long after graduating from Winthrop in December 2019, Messel had to learn how to transition from college life to “the real world” amidst the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic while also starting a masters program at the University of South Carolina.
“Transitioning was very difficult,” Messel said. “I had already graduated and was just working at Target until my Masters program started and by the time I completed the programs, we were in the middle of Covid and no one was hiring.”
Currently Messel is working as an office administrator in accounting for a national construction chains company, however he says this job is temporary.
“Finding a job in the field that I would live to work in has been difficult,” Messel said. “However, I have hope and haven’t given up the hunt.”
