Alumni Profile: Mary
Executive director, Community Television Channel
BFA in theatre, class of 1970
When you first came to UIUC did you know for sure what you wanted to do as a major/career?
Yes.
How many majors/careers did you "go through" during your years here and how did you finally come to a choice?
I found I was more interested in management and administration coupled with program development.
What was one UIUC event, memory, person, class, that made a substantial difference in your career choices? during your years here and how did you finally come to a choice?
Boththe recreation and theatre faculty emphasized working in a real world situation
What was your first job after you earned your degree?
Recreation center director
How did you land your first career related job?
I was recommended for the position by a faculty member.
Please list all positions you have held since graduation.
- Recreation center director
- Recreation district supervisor
- Continuing education coordinator
- Video telecommunications manager
- Educational technology and telecommunications coordinator
- Executive director for a non-profit organization
What is your current occupation and how did you come to it?
Executive director (ED), Community Television Channel. I was offered to take on position when the board (on which I served) ran into a problem with three ED's.
If you changed career paths after school, did you make a conscious choice to make the change, was it forced on you or did it naturally evolve?
I couldn't get a job in the recreation area during a move and recession., so I took another degree in public administration with the goal of going back to work in local government. While waiting for my first child, I took a position at the University of Washington.
What steps did you take in making the transition?
The unit housed the educational television channel. Eventually, I was asked to manage the channel and other video telecommunications at the university. Then I was asked to take similar position for the community college system in distance education.
What advice would you give to an FAA student who might be interested in your current or past careers?
Do things on the campus; be involved in student affairs or clubs
What advice can you give an FAA student who is currently undecided about their future career?
Take challenging courses
Additional Comments?
Develop a good work ethic. Smart students still won't cut it if they can't be on time, don't complete work thoroughly, can't perform as part of team, and lack communication skills.