From Boardrooms to Backcountry

Meet Maja Brocka, an international student from Poland who traded a traditional career path for something that felt more right—studying Outdoor Leadership at Prince William Sound College.

Before coming to Alaska, Maja earned a business degree and worked in the corporate world. While the job was stable, she realized it wasn’t how she wanted to spend the next decade of her life. She wanted movement, challenge, and purpose—so she leaped and applied to PWSC.

Since arriving, Maja has fully embraced the hands-on nature of the Outdoor Leadership program. Her classes have taken her far beyond the classroom and into the field, including a six-day backpacking trip, rafting, sea kayaking, swiftwater rescue training and much more. One of the biggest lessons she’s taken from these experiences is learning how to “get comfortable being uncomfortable.” What started as nerves about long days outdoors and unfamiliar routines quickly turned into confidence and resilience.

Maja loves learning by doing. Instead of memorizing information from textbooks, she’s gaining real experience—skills she knows she’ll use long after college. Being able to see, try, and practice skills in real environments has helped everything click in a way it never did in a traditional classroom.

She credits much of her positive experience to the PWSC community. From classmates who support and push each other to do better, to staff who help with everything from paperwork to learning new terminology, Maja says the campus feels like a family. She also appreciates the small-town feel, where people know each other and are genuinely willing to help.

A major influence in Maja’s journey has been her aunt, Magdalena Brocka McCay, who encouraged her to pursue something meaningful and supported her through the process of coming to Alaska. Her aunt’s belief in personal growth and doing things for yourself gave Maja the confidence to change direction and invest in a future that felt right.

As an international student, Maja works up to 20 hours per week on campus and currently works at the PWSC Health and Fitness Center, where she balances work with classes and campus life. Outside of school, she’s almost always outdoors—kayaking, mountaineering, camping, going for long walks, or playing guitar—and she’s excited to experience her first whole Alaskan winter.

Maja’s story is a reminder that it’s okay to take risks, try something new, and choose a path that supports your happiness and well-being.

We’re proud to have you at PWSC, Maja!