University of Pittsburgh

About

Michael McDermott

Michael McDermott

"Fifty years from now it will not matter what kind of car you drove, how much money was in your bank account, what kind of house you lived in nor matter what clothes you wore. But what will be important is that you were important in the life of a child."

This anonymous quote has always been important to me. I would like to change a few words and have it read that one day, I, as an advisor, was important during your college life.

I have about 15 years of academic-advising experience, first in the School of Arts and Sciences and now in the College of Business Administration. The atmosphere and the rich diversity of the Pitt student body have been very rewarding over the years.

I am usually referred to as the "Roller-Blading Advisor," as part of my daily commute is on roller blades. This has been a major hobby of mine since I first became aware of in-line skates in the mid-'80s. This is an extension of my love of ice hockey as a player and a coach. While still playing in men's leagues I also coach a travel team. Our schedule takes us to such cities Detroit, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Toronto, and a number of others. It is a serious time commitment, but the bottom line is it's a lot of fun!

Though I grew up in Pittsburgh, some of my life experiences have taken me around the world. I have a BASW from Pitt and an MPA from Temple University. I have spent a year traveling in Europe and the Middle East. During the year I spent a few months on a farm in central Sweden and the winter months on a kibbutz in Israel. I am a former Peace Corps volunteer, having spent two and one-half years in the Philippines. Before returning to the United States, I had the wonderful experience of spending four months in Southeast Asia.

Prior to working at Pitt, I was an assistant director with a social-service agency here in Pittsburgh. I have worked in Washington, D.C. as a placement specialist with an international education organization and in Philadelphia with a foundation as a program coordinator.

In addition to my duties as an advisor to CBA students, I also serve as an advisor to students enrolled in the School of Arts and Sciences pursuing a dual major. I am also responsible for students who are interested in a BA or BS in one of the liberal arts and a BSBA in business. This option is known as the double degree.

Some of my favorite sites are:

The New York Times
National Geographic
The National Hockey League
The Peace Corps