Melissa Huberty, 1989 Tech High School graduate, knew as a teenager that she wanted to work with people with chemical dependency. During high school, Huberty connected with a lot of different students; she didn’t hang out with a particular clique. To her, it was all about relationships.
“It’s easy to judge people that don’t have enough,” shares Huberty. “Once you get to know them, you have a whole different perspective.”
After graduation, Huberty attended the University of Minnesota where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Family Social Science. She then went on to complete her master’s degree in social work from the University of St. Thomas and St. Catherine University. It was two weeks prior to obtaining her master’s that she was offered a job as a therapist at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) where she had been interning.
For 17 years, Huberty worked with people with mental health and substance abuse problems. She was promoted to supervise the civil commitment department at HCMC, which oversees patients who are forced into treatment, typically by the court. She supervised the department for eight years.
But Huberty was looking for more diversity. She wanted to help as many people as she could.
She became the development disability manager for Ramsey County assisting with adult foster care cases. Within three years, she became the division director.
Then last fall, when her predecessor, human services administrator for Stearns County, Mark Sizer, retired, she knew where she had to be – back in St. Cloud.
“I thought I’d never return. [But] it really excited me because of all the variety,” explains Huberty. “I love every hour of the day. I love being back.”
Huberty believes St. Cloud is a perfect fit.
“It’s a perfect mix of a small and large city, urban and rural. It’s very welcoming . . . . I love the culture, and the people have been great!”
In fact, she loves seeing some of her old teachers around town, although most are retired now.
“My two biggest impacts [in high school] were band and math,” shares Huberty. “In a way, band saved me. My teacher really got me. And my math teacher was really good at getting me hooked on math and science which has really been a huge asset [in my career].”
Huberty feels that no matter what field you go into, math, science and music are the backbones to any job.
“Music really helps create relationships, and no matter what you do, math is huge!” exclaims Huberty.
She also believes in volunteering and encourages people to get out and volunteer within the community.
“Find anything that makes your heart sing!” she advises.
Following her heart in wanting to help others, Huberty has found her niche in the human services field. And she’s found that being right back where she started is exactly where she belongs.
