Alumni Spotlight: Danielle Melton

Keeping Your Finances in Order

By: Dominique Joseph

Danielle Melton, former University High student, is a very successful woman today and explains to me how University played a huge role in her success. Melton shares that during her time attending University she had “some of the best teachers, counselors and classmates.” Graduating in the top 5 of her class, she admits that University adequately prepared her for college being that she took mostly AP classes. 

Ms. Melton also says that she was quite a book worm and that the advanced and honors classes she took, readied her for the college classes. After graduating from high school, Ms. Melton attended Stockton University, in Pomona, NJ, where she started off as a math major because she intended to become an actuary. During our interview, Melton made it known that after three years of math and the understanding that the opportunities in math were scarce, she switched her major over to finance and minored in economics. Still math adjacent.

Ms. Melton went on to become a pet accessory and toy sourcing agent for a year. It was then that she made the decision to go back to school to acquire her masters degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.

Currently, Danielle is a finance manager for the Atlantic Health System, which is one of the largest healthcare systems in the state of New Jersey, where she plays a huge role. Melton explains that she “manages a team of four and is responsible for the development and maintenance of the fiscal year budgets for five hospitals, a home health care division, over 300 physician practices and an ambulance division.” She enjoys her career. Having an affect on people’s lives is very touching to her and she enjoys the experience although she isn’t directly involved in patient care.

“Working in finance you have to be organized and a quick thinker,” expresses Melton. She adds that you are always thinking about “what if” situations and being an over thinker, a perfectionist and a problem solver.

Aside from her career and education after college, I was curious about Danielle’s experiences during high school. She admits that starting at University in the 7th grade, “everyone felt like family.” There were Big-Brother to Big-Sister programs, a chorus club and the Math Olympics. Danielle shares that there was never a dull moment at University. 

Ms. Melton explains to me that she would not do anything differently and that she very much enjoyed her time at university. She also says, “The teachers and counselors were excellent; my classmates were great and fun to be with and I gained some lifetime friendships.” Danielle would rather go back and do everything all over again.

Ms. Melton explains that we don’t always end up where we thought we would be. "Your path can change at any given moment." She also says, "There will be challenges that you must face once you begin your journey but that is apart of growth. Everything you experience in your education and career good or bad, only prepares you for something greater. Enjoy your high school years and take all that you can from your peers, teachers and counselors to help mold your paths. You can never gain enough education. Also, surround yourself with positive people."