Carmelita Salas works with the Neighborhood Nonprofit Housing Corporation in the Owner Builder program and plays a crucial role in guiding families through the process of building their homes. This year-long commitment involves close collaboration with the administration team, construction crew, subcontractors, and families. The unique blend of administrative and interpersonal skills required in Carmelita's role reflects the comprehensive preparation she gained through her HDFS coursework.


Choosing HDFS for a Purpose: Carmelita shares that her challenging family background fueled her desire to contribute to strengthen diverse families and communities. The online format of the HDFS major, coupled with its focus on understanding family dynamics across various life stages, drew her to choose this major. Carmelita recognizes the transformative potential of empowering families, and her career with Neighborhood Nonprofit Housing Corporation is a testament to the profound impact majoring in HDFS can have on community development.

Valuable Insights and Career Readiness: Carmelita emphasizes that achieving her goal of obtaining a bachelor's degree is not only a personal triumph but also a source of enduring value in various aspects of her life and career. Her practicum experience in the Owner Builder program was particularly impactful, leading to a full-time position and further highlighting the practical applicability of HDFS knowledge in real-world settings.

Advice for Prospective HDFS Students: Reflecting on her HDFS journey, Carmelita offers advice to prospective students considering the major. She said,

The program and the professors are excellent. They care about their students and want you to succeed. The coursework is valuable in many areas of your life and can be used in many careers. If you are considering HDFS, you will not be disappointed and have a lot of support.