Wednesday, February 03, 2016

Cathy Bell - The Stars at KLIC: Journey Story of our Staff


By Cathy Bell

Some people seem to know exactly what they want to do when they grow up, but not me.  I knew that I didn’t want to go away to college, so after high school I started working on my A.A.S. degree in Legal Secretarial at Chattanooga State.  I attended full-time for the first year and then got married and got a full-time job with TVA while going to school part-time at night.  After putting in so much work, I was determined to finish my degree and finally did after five years.  Six months later I was hired as a secretary at Chattanooga State.

After working almost a year in the Administrative offices, I transferred to the newly created Environmental Science Division which included Hazardous Materials, Health Physics, Fire Science and Industrial Hygiene.  I worked in the division office for eight years, and when the college decided to reorganize some areas, and I was transferred to the Library.

I am now starting my 26th year with Chattanooga State and I love it.  One of the best things that makes this a great place to work is the onsite daycare.  I knew that I would have to work and wanted to start a family so knowing that my children would be close to me and that I could spend time with them was a big plus for me.  While working, I was encouraged to take the Certified Professional Secretaries (CPS) exam to become certified in my field, which I did in 1998.

My job varies from day to day and might include working on budget items, typing requisitions, making travel arrangements, processing appropriate paperwork for hiring student workers, taking minutes, filing, or even filling in at the service desk if they are short-handed and really, really desperate….LOL

My co-workers (who by the way are amazing) and I strive to help the students in any way that we can.  It’s a nice feeling when you are able to help students become successful and one step closer to their dreams of getting their degree and finding a great job like I did.

Cathy’s Accomplishments/Volunteer Activities:
Tennessee Library Assoc. Library Support Staff Award (2014)
John E. Rouche Excellence Award (2013)
Support Staff Council (5 years)
Support Staff Association – Secretary (2 years)
Docent for the Anne Frank Exhibit (2006-2007)
Soddy Daisy High School Bowling Booster Club Secretary (2006-2012)
Girl Scouts Leader/Assistant Leader (1999-2008)

2 comments:

Bill's Books said...

Just Awesome, Cathy! Love it!

Lori Warren said...

Cathy, I just want to thank you for all that you do. I appreciate your help with our travel plans, paperwork, and the parties and event planning. You are awesome!