Kristen Bradford

After my dad retired from the military in 1997, our family moved to a little town called Bedford, Virginia. I spent my teenage years there and, after graduating from high school, ended up attending college 45 minutes away at Hollins University in Roanoke. I originally didn’t want to even look at women’s colleges, but when I walked on campus I fell in love with it. I was impressed with their academic programs (especially the English/Creative Writing department), small class sizes (my largest class had maybe 30 or so students), and the sense of community (fun traditions like Tinker Day).

I have so many wonderful experiences from my time at Hollins. I met my best friend there my freshman year who I am still very close with. I spent a semester in London through the Hollins Abroad program, which was an amazing opportunity I will never forget. I wrote a screenplay for my honors thesis - which I submitted to the Virginia Screenwriting Competition in 2007 unfortunately I wasn’t a finalist, but I got some good pointers to improve the script). I worked part-time at Community School across the street from Hollins, which is a wonderful private school that I would send my kids to if I’m still in Roanoke when I start a family (whenever that may be… I’m still looking for Mr. Right!).

I really liked what Roanoke had to offer. So when I received an email from the Hollins Career Center last March about a job opportunity at the Veterans Affairs Roanoke Regional Office, I jumped at the chance and was happy when I found out I got the job. I’m so thankful that I found a great job which not only has good pay and benefits, but is helping out veterans get the benefits they deserve.

As I’m writing this, I’ve been at the VA for nearly nine months (it doesn’t seem that long!). I’m living in an apartment with my crazy but loveable cat and recently started taking ballroom lessons at Arthur Murray Dance Center. I also became a member of the Methodist Church I attended regularly while at Hollins.

Life is great here in Roanoke, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I stayed here for a long time!

• Kristen’s Career: Veterans Service Representative at the Department
  of Veterans Affairs