Patrick S. O'Brien

Making College Count was written by Patrick O’Brien. O’Brien graduated from Miami University with a double major in finance and accounting. While at Miami, he served as president and social chairman of the Miami chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, was an active member of Pi Sigma Epsilon and Beta Alpha Psi, tutored economics, and interned at Provident Bank (now PNC bank).

Prior to writing this college success book, he had a broad range of roles in corporate America at Procter & Gamble, Union Camp, and Monster.com. He has experience in small business as an entrepreneur, in non-profit endeavors, and in education. He was the co-founder of Making It Count, an education company that has delivered free success presentations to more than 23,000,000 students over the past 15 years. The concept of empowering students to achieve their dreams has been a central theme of his life for 20+ years. Helping students achieve college and career success is a passion for O’Brien. Writing the 2nd edition of Making College Count is the culmination of his college success efforts.

His career has included the following:

- Co-Founder Making It Count Education Programs

- Author, Making College Count

- Author, Start Now. Succeeed Later.

- Author, Knowing Where You're Going

- CEO CollegeLink.com

- Author, “Start Now. Succeed Later.” (South-Western College Publishing)

- Nationally Syndicated Columnist, Tribune Media Services (College Division)

- Author, “Knowing Where You’re Going”

- President, Monster Skilled and Hourly (part of Monster.com)

- Procter & Gamble Brand Manager

- Adjunct Professor, Miami University

- Co-Founder and Faculty Advisor, Miami Farmer School Charity Golf Classic

- Director of Marketing and Information Technology (the Branigar Organization/International Paper)

- Vice President/Project Director (The Branigar Organization/International Paper)

- Board President and Property Owners Association President, Champion Hills Community/Club

- United Way Board Member (local chapter)

- Chamber of Commerce Board Member (local chapter)

- YMCA Capital Campaign Co-Chairman (local chapter)

- Big Brother, Catholic Big Brothers and Sisters

- Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball Coach

- Liberty Mutual Responsible Coaching Award

Based on these combined experiences, he is the ideal author of a college success book. His experience and expertise have allowed him to create an actionable college success guide that will provide great value to all students and parents who read it.