LIFE@OSU

“Our occupations are ones that keep families safe, housed, supported in times of need and directed to solutions when diverse problems arise.  Exactly where we wanted them to be.”

“I started OSU in 1999 and, as a competitive gymnast for 15 years, began my studies in pre-med, a popular choice among athletes.  I discovered that blood and needles were going to be problematic (at least the passing out sure was!) so I switched majors to Housing Studies.  Since childhood, I had been drawn to the distinct architecture, romanticism, and eras of historic homes. I remember thinking that if medicine wasn’t going to work out, I would follow my interests and perhaps that would lead me down the right path for a career.  It did, eventually.

During that time, I met and married my husband, Johnathan Balkema who is a Housing Studies graduate too.  We completed our coursework together, bought our first and second homes during our undergrad years and really had a chance to see our education in action.  Many of those years we worked full time while going to school, I as a Certified Nursing Assistant in a nursing home and he in construction.  Our experiences intertwined and enhanced each other, so much so that we created a part-time business specializing in Residential Home Design and Remodeling called Beaver Design LLP.  I had become keenly aware of the mobility needs of the elderly/disabled and he knew how to build homes for those scenarios.  Little did we know that bigger and better things were to come.

Flash forward several years: I had been working as a Patient Care Manager for a home health care company and John was working for a local builder.  We wanted more.  I accepted a position with a non-profit in town (Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services) as a Housing and Foreclosure Counselor teaching classes and counseling families, a skill I picked up performing end of life counseling in my previous occupations.  John began work as the Director of Codes and Safety for the Oregon Home Builder’s Association, also teaching classes and working with the public.  John has designed several homes in the valley through our business.  On nice days in our spare time (which is not much these days with our 3 year old daughter Gracie running around!) we drive her around to show her daddy’s work.

Our education and experiences gained while going to Oregon State were invaluable and really key to the package we can offer employers now.  I have an awareness of the challenges that low-income, elderly and disabled clients face, plus the certifications of a Housing and Foreclosure Counselor.  John understands the complexities of how homes are designed, built and regulated, with the authority to influence how that happens to best benefit the public.  It’s been 10 years, four houses, a marriage, a baby and two degrees since we started at OSU and it all started up in Milam Hall.  Our occupations are ones that keep families safe, housed, supported in times of need and directed to solutions when diverse problems arise.  Exactly where we wanted them to be.”