Brooke Cassada-Maple from Virginia Tech shares Advisor Advice for Fall 2025.
About this Advisor:
Who/ what are you listening to, reading, or watching right now?
This summer I’ve been listening to a bit of everything. House music, classic rock, R&B, pop, and even a little country (which is very surprising for me). Lately though, I’ve been listening to The Weeknd in preparation for his last concert under that stage name. This will be my third time seeing him live (2015, 2022, and now 2025), and I get just as excited each time!
What is your favorite part about your job?
The best part of my job is working closely with the students throughout the entire academic year. It’s incredibly fulfilling to support them through challenges, encourage them to push beyond their perspective, and then celebrate their success when their hard work pays off.
Advice from this Advisor:
What advice do you have for new student programmers who are stepping into their roles in the fall for the first time?
Take your time learning the information and ask questions! If you are new to programming or a specific role, don’t pressure yourself to understand everything right away. It takes time to learn, understand, and implement. Utilize other resources to learn. Look through your organization’s platform, look at what other programming boards are doing, and do some research. Ask questions to your advisor and ask the why! Don’t be afraid to push back on your advisor by asking in depth questions; that’s how you get to the good conversations.
After months of planning, it’s finally event and show day! What’s your one absolute most important show tip to share with our readers?
Check in on others and with yourself! With such a busy day, it’s important to make sure you and others closest to show day are taking care of basic needs. I usually try and bring my students their favorite snack and remind them constantly to eat, drink, and take a break for a few minutes. It really shocked me during the first show to see how students are so quick to push aside their needs to ensure everything is going well on show day. Be intentional with your breaks; do short check-ins with students away from the show site, take a short walk, or enjoy lunch in a different location for a few minutes. Small breaks can make a difference and relieve stress.