Ellie Fetzer ’18’s dream job has changed a lot over the years, but she has always been interested in the criminal justice system. It is one of the reasons she came to Thomas. While here, she has also studied psychology. 

“I originally wanted to focus more on the criminals, but nowadays, I am very interested in working with victims,” said Ellie. “I believe that our society focuses a lot on the criminals and not enough on the victims. I would love to get a job with Child Protective Services and help children who have been abused or neglected.”   

At Thomas College, Ellie has done more than study. She has worked part time at different jobs, including at the local Tim Hortons, in the TRIO office as a student assistant, and both working/interning as a behavioral health professional, all while going to school. She said it has been a great experience, especially learning how to juggle work and school.

She has also been involved with the College and the community, including both the Leadership Academy and TRIO program at Thomas, the Waterville Humane Society, Woodlands Family Living, and the Family Violence Project.  Ellie, in her final year at Thomas, says that it was the price of Thomas College, compared to other schools, and the people she met that has kept her coming back each semester. 

“From the first day of school, I met a group of individuals who have become a mini family to me. To this day, we still make time to have dinner together and to go to different events and hang out. Even though we all have made different friends over the years, we still come back to one another at the end of the day,” said Ellie. “And, the professors take time to get to know you, and they want to help you. I have talked to some of my other friends who go to different colleges, and they all say that their teachers are aloof, non-caring, and really only talk to you if they absolutely have to. At Thomas College, it is not like that.”  

Reflecting on her first year at Thomas, Ellie remembers it being stressful at times. “It was a huge adjustment from being a senior in high school to being a freshman in college. The work load got more intense, and I was avidly looking for a job off campus,” she said.  

Ellie said she was able to get through, thanks to support from her new friends and her first-year seminar teacher, Amanda Favreau.  

“Amanda made time to get to know me and encouraged me to become a member of TRiO. Since becoming a member, I have received nothing but support, both academically and emotionally,” she said. “They have written me letters of recommendation; given me counsel; made sure I was on time with my homework, etc. TRiO has become a huge part of my life, and I don’t really know where I would be without them.”  

Ellie has some advice for new students at Thomas: “Don’t worry about fitting in. Be yourself. There are plenty of people here who will like you for just being you and who might even become your friends for life.”