Gina Vasseur-Melle

It's taken me a very long time to figure out and understand just who I am and in looking back, I never knew this is who I'd eventually be. I've weathered heaps of life experiences that lead me to discover a lot about myself. Here's a peak into my past to reveal what has shaped me into the woman I am.

About three years ago I was freshly graduated from high school and completely uncertain of what I wanted to out of life. I had very little experiences to help me exhume any of my hidden talents or passions. Yet, as an individual who has always excelled in math, creative thinking, and patterns, my father encouraged me pursue an engineering degree. So, engineering it was, I left for WPI that fall.

Not a month before leaving I fell in honest to God "love at first sight" love. He inspired me to see the world a little different and to be brave where it counted. I went to church with him and his family and learned about Jesus. I learned how to dress out a turkey and a chicken. I learned how to milk goats and deliver their kids. All these things I never would have seen myself doing, but he showed me what it was to feel a true passion and love for the things we do.

Soon I realized I didn't love engineering. I came upon what would be my favorite class at WPI, Entrepreneurship and Engineering. I was beginning to see that I didn't belong at WPI and despite some disappointment from those supporting me, I transferred to UMass to study marketing.

During my transition I began working for Carter and Stevens Farm and really grew to respect and love farming even more. Shortly after I transferred and finished my sophomore year, I found a summer job as a representative for sustainable, green energy solutions. I grew very fond of this post and continue to work there.

My junior and senior year melded together. In that time I struck gold in Weinberg's Special Topics in Social Media course. One of our projects entailed gaining experience in the process of becoming an expert; I chose baking pie. From then on I've been in pure pie baking bliss.

So, in the course of three short years I went from engineer to marketer and pie baker, WPI to UMass, spiritually lost to a faithful follower and baptized believer, single to in love and engaged, farm employee to sustainable energy advocate, and corporate marketing mind-set to farmer's marketing mind-set. I grew into exactly who I'm meant to be, ME!