GPI - Justine Bohl, Student Experience Finance Coordinator

By Avery Slavin

Asst. News Editor

Courtesy of Justine Bohl

What is your academic and professional background?

I have a master’s of biochemistry and molecular biology from Clark University in Worcester. I lived in Worcester for a few years, thought I was going to be a big scientist curing cancer - and I really hated it. So, I completely pivoted and just found this entry-level job doing finances for clubs at Amherst College. It was the perfect thing that led me into this position as finance coordinator. I nannied, I waitressed forever, I bartended. It took me a really long time to fall into this. But I really like to show students that you don't always end up doing what you majored in, and that’s totally fine.

What drew you to Framingham State?

Honestly, this team. When I interviewed, I got to meet all of these people that I get to work with every day, and it was just a no-brainer. I was so excited to join the team. Everyone’s on top of each other, but also very hands-off at the same time, so it’s just a really good dynamic. I actually forgot to mention that I have my teaching license from Framingham State because I was going to teach high school chemistry, which I did for a little bit and I really didn’t like it. But, I was familiar with Framingham. My best friend lives here, so I’m familiar with the neighborhood. Once I saw the position, I was really excited. I actually live in Amherst, which is quite the commute, but it’s been worth every second. 

What do you like best about your role at FSU?

Definitely the team. I think we work together really well. I do the finance part, they do the event part, and we all just know what everyone is working on at the same time, which is really nice. Or, we’re working on the same thing, but different aspects, which is really cool. I wanted to be a teacher for so long, but I think classroom teaching wasn’t my thing. This feels like a different relationship. Still teacher-ish, but not head classroom teacher, which is very difficult. So, I still get to work with students. I still get to talk to them about my life and give them life advice and stuff, but I’m also not their head teacher, if that makes sense. And, I get to do finance. I’ve always really liked math. I think the science and the STEM track took me away from math a little bit, but I’m glad that I found my way back to finance. 

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

This is also why I like working with college students, because when I was a student, I felt like no one asked me about my hobbies. It was all like, “How are classes going? How’s school? How are your grades?” No one was encouraging me to pursue things outside the classroom. And now, I get to work with the extracurricular aspect and I’m always asking students like, “What do you like to do outside of the classroom?” Because that’s so important, too, and I’m really just now figuring that out in my old age. But, I listen to a lot of true crime documentaries and podcasts. I used to bake a lot, but I haven’t really baked that much recently. Arts and crafts - I just got a needlepoint kit, which I’m really excited to start. I like little one-off crafts, like those paint-by-numbers and stuff. And, I’ve had a puppy for about a year and she just turned one. So, a lot of taking care of her.

What advice would you give to students?

Pursue your extracurriculars. Life is way more than just the classroom, and it’s really important to learn what you like, what you don’t like, and what kind of people you like to spend time with. I’m really just now learning that about myself.