Andrea Merriman

Andrea Merriman serves as Career Director in the College of Engineering at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. With 13 years in higher education and seven years in her current role, she supports approximately 2,200 to 4,000 engineering students by helping them secure internships and careers while building lives of purpose and passion. Her work emphasizes first-generation college students, women entering the male-dominated engineering field, and professionals seeking to pivot or re-enter the workforce after raising families. Merriman draws on her background in PR and advertising, which she transitioned into higher education following a major life pivot in her 40s. She is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach who has completed the Stanford Designing Your Life certification, Yale's Women's Leadership course, and additional training in career development, strengths coaching, and negotiation. She attributes her success to her parents' values and resilience-building, her personal talents and gifts, and stories of resilience from pioneers and World War II survivors. Merriman advises others not to shrink their ambitions, to own their talents, and to take action without waiting to feel ready, noting that imposter syndrome is common but growth occurs outside the comfort zone.