Melissa Herrera (‘07) didn’t know what she wanted to do when she was in high school. Now, her job allows her to meet people all over the world.
She works as a Global System Quality Manager at Marken, a UPS company and still resides in Durham. UPS acquired Marken in 2016 which established the organization as its clinical supply chain subsidiary which emphasizes its dedication to the healthcare and pharma industries. Marken gets medical supplies and help to people who need them.
Herrera says the most challenging part and coolest part of her job is that she works for a global company.
“[There are] lots of timezones,” Herrera said. “If that kid in Australia doesn’t get their chemo treatment, it’s not good.”
Being a global company has its pros too. “I get to talk to people all over the world,” she said. “Our company handles a lot of vaccines.”
Herrera has fond, vivid memories of Riverside.
“I remember, I had a group of friends and we all went to the football games and basketball games,” she said.
Herrera mentions a strong sense of unity between the students and not very many cliques at Riverside.
Her involvement in school activities has impacted her adult life in a positive way.
“Even at my job, I try to get involved in any group activities,” Herrera said. “[I’m] used to being a part of something.”
Today she encourages her daughter to attend school events, such as basketball and football games, like she did in highschool.
“I think, when I was in high school everyone had their life planned out, and that definitely did not happen to me,” she said. “I got pregnant freshman year of college, finished my associates at Durham Tech, and finished my bachelors degree online.”
Herrera says people view her differently because of her unconventional pathways after high school.
“I’m happy where I am now, but the path to get here was different then I thought it would be, Herarra said.”
If there is one piece of advice Herrera would give highschool students is to keep your options open. “Don’t have your heart set on one thing, because there’s a lot out there.”
