RIT Grad Lands Dream IT Job Supporting NY Health Department

While most college students rely on digital calendars, Melanie Couillard color-coded her way through four years at Rochester Institute of Technology with handwritten planners and whiteboards.

That old-school organizational system helped the computer science major balance orchestra performances, leading a women in tech group, study abroad in France, and graduating with honors. Now it's paying off in a big way.

Couillard just secured a full-time position as an Information Technology Specialist with New York State, where she'll support the Department of Health. For someone who dreamed of helping people in healthcare but couldn't handle the sight of blood, it's the perfect fit.

"I realized that computer science could be applied everywhere and I could give back through my expertise," said Couillard, who's from Delmar, New York.

The 22-year-old didn't just coast through college. She played oboe and English horn in two musical groups, performing twice each semester as a Performing Arts Scholar. Four days a week, she showed up to practice with fellow students who weren't music majors but performed like they were.

"Music is calming to me and centers me," Couillard said. "It feels good to put on a show for an audience and make someone's day better."

She also threw herself into Women in Computing, organizing events for Girl Scouts, running a mentorship program for younger students, and even dressing up as the school mascot. Her dedication caught the attention of faculty who saw something special.

"What sets Melanie apart is not simply the breadth of her involvement but the depth of her character," said Lana Verschage, director of Student Engagement at RIT's computing college. "She approaches every challenge with enthusiasm and grace."

Why This Inspires

Couillard's story shows that success isn't about choosing between passions or narrowing your focus. She proved you can be a serious computer science student and an orchestra musician and a community leader all at once.

Her experience at a medical device company during a co-op reinforced that tech skills can directly improve lives. At Insulet, she worked on technology helping people with diabetes manage their health.

The new job brings her closer to family in Albany and lets her contribute to public health from behind a keyboard instead of a hospital bed.

RIT awarded her the Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar Award, recognizing not just her grades but her ability to lift up everyone around her while excelling academically. She helped expand mentorship programs because she remembered how much her own freshman mentor meant to her.

One college graduate is proving that staying organized with paper and pen can help you build a digital career that changes lives.