Written by Tabitha Groelle.
Over the last eight months I’ve had the opportunity to share with you all information about the senior leadership in the Finance Division. It was fun to sit down and talk one on one about their careers and to learn more about the people themselves. A little about myself…
I went to college right out of high school at University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. I was going to be a nurse from the time I was eight. After my second semester of college chemistry, that dream was busted, so I changed to criminal justice – now I was going to work border patrol in Florida or Texas…for one semester. Clearly, I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to be when I grew up. After moving to Tennessee, I started working for a company that published a bank directory. I was mentored by the office manager and found out I really liked office work and I was good at it. So back to school I went and earned an associate’s degree in business management from Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, TN.
Shortly thereafter, I moved to Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, where my now husband lived. I had only seen the ocean one time before moving there, and here I was in the middle of the ocean – well that’s what it seemed like. Coming from the midwest, I understood tornados but not hurricanes, and I was indoctrinated during my first two weeks!
I’ve worked a few jobs here in North Carolina. Just prior to coming to NC State, I was the office manager for DBM – a company that specialized in outplacement consulting. We were a dedicated office onsite at IBM during one of their larger reductions in force.
I started at NC State July 17, 2006 as an executive assistant to then university treasurer, Kathy Hart. I had never worked for a government agency before, so I didn’t know much. I knew how to use Microsoft products and could manage calendars, and she was willing to give me a chance. It didn’t take me long to figure out there was a lot to learn. For almost two decades, I’ve had the opportunity to grow in my position.
I like to say I’ve sat in the same seat with different titles and different supervisors. I am constantly learning and growing.
Talking to myself is a daily activity, so staying with the theme of the Chatting series, I answered these questions:
Tabitha: What’s your “escape from reality” activity?
Myself : I love to read romance books, especially Harlequin historical romance books.
Tabitha: What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
Myself: Growing up, I wanted to be a mom to five boys.
Tabitha: What inspires or motivates you?
Myself: My family first. Accomplishments – I like to see the finished product. I’m motivated by deadlines [smile].
Tabitha: What have you found most enjoyable about working at NC State?
Myself: Many people here become your family without you ever knowing it. In times of need, they rally around in full force.
If you missed any of the Chatting series – check out the Leadership Spotlight articles.
Coming soon: we’ll learn some fun facts about the next level of Finance Division leadership.