Erin Nelson

At Western I am a double major in Business Administration with the Professional Land and Resource Managment (PLRM) emphasis, and Psychology.

I chose to major in Psychology because I have always been interested with how people work and why they do what they do. I was originally a Criminal Psychology major and I wanted to work with police departments analyzing criminals. 

I added the Business major and the PLRM emphasis when I read in the DAPL newsletter (Denver Association of Petroleum Landmen) that Western was adding the major. I have worked on and off for Williams Production RMT Company for the past eight years, and with this major I hope to continue my future at Williams.

At Western I am involved in the Western Association of Professional Landmen (I was the club's first president), and treasurer and co-president of Sexual Abuse Prevention Advocates. I previously was involved with the Student Government Association as treasurer; a peer mentor/resident adviser with Residence Life; a peer career assistant with Career Services; and the student event coordinator at the Aspinall-Wilson Center.

I have recieved nothing but helpful encouragement from all of my professors, and they have been an invaluable influence on my life and my career at Western. I have enjoyed learning from all of my professors, and my primary adviser, Dr. Coykendall. Without their help I would not have gotten to where I am today. 

My favorite thing about Western is the small class sizes. I have learned that I do not do well in classes that are over 35 people and I really enjoy being an actual person to my professors, not just a number. I take a very active approach to class, and I love being able to engage with my professors in and out of the classroom. Because Western is the size that it is, I have taken multiple classes with the same professor, so they have not only helped me in the class setting, but also I feel comfortable with a few to ask them for help when I am struggling with other classes, or even when I am struggling with life in general.

When I first came to Western, I was not expecting to like college as much as I do. I was thinking of just doing my time and getting out, but I have done so many things and been involved with so much, and I was not expecting that at all. I learned a lot about myself that I wasn't expecting either. And I can use everything that I have learned, both about myself and what I have learned in the classes, in my life once I graduate.

The event I am most excited about for this upcoming year is graduation. As much as I love Western and love being here, I am ready to start my life, and am very excited about what can happen after graduation.