There’s a
new face in the office! Freshman Heather Bennett has joined our team as the
newest student worker. We’re proud to welcome another member to the OSU Press
family and are excited to have her on board. Studying business management and
marketing, she’s lively, well spoken, and … loves Corvallis salsa? Read the
interview below to see how Heather found her place in the OSU Press office.
TH – Tori Hittner, marketing intern
HB – Heather
Bennett, student worker and office
assistant
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TH: I know
you recently graduated from Canby High School, Heather, but I remember you
mentioning you also received your associates degree in a dual enrollment
program?
HB:
Yes, I got my associates from Clackamas Community College. It’s an ASOT
transfer degree.
TH: So then
what led you here to this position, and to OSU in general?
HB:
I was torn between OSU and the University of Idaho, and Idaho was a little far
away for my first year away from home. My sister goes here, so it was kind of a
comfort thing. I just kind of grew up around business; my mom owned her own
business, so it was natural. Before I moved here, I had an assistant-type
position and was against working in fast food or retail. I wanted to stay in an
office environment since that’s what I would like to do in the future. I
thought it would be better to stay on that track and get this experience.
TH: I know
you’ve only been here in the summer, but do you have a favorite part of campus
or Corvallis as of yet?
HB:
I haven’t been around [campus] too much yet. But I do love the new business
building. And I also love the marble steps in the MU and all the big trees.
That’s part of the reason I chose this school; I love all the old trees here.
And as far as Corvallis, I haven’t spent much time exploring it yet. Most of my
[spare] time has been spent in my apartment. Oh, and searching for salsa at the
farmers’ market.
TH:
Searching for salsa?
HB:
There is the best salsa in the world there! The first time I looked for it was a
struggle; my sister just told me it was near the water. So I walked through the
whole place looking for a single salsa stand. But no, it’s in a vegetable
stand: Gathering Together Farms.
TH: Well,
now I feel like I need to go hunt this famous salsa down.
HB:
Yes, you do!
TH: So you’ve
been braving the warehouse here lately …
HB:
Oh yes—the spider-infested warehouse!
TH: Ick! Do
you want to talk a little about the kind of work you’ve been doing around the
office?
HB:
Most recently, I’ve been organizing all the books here and alphabetizing all
the boxes. I haven’t spent that much time in the warehouse yet, but inventory
is a main focus here. Working upstairs for Don [Frier] has involved a lot of miscellaneous
items.
TH: Okay, I
have to ask. Do you have a favorite, or most memorable, book?
HB:
The most memorable book, for me, would be Where
the Red Fern Grows. Every time I read that book, I cry. I have a passion
for animals, so it’s sad. But I like it because it’s a romantic kind of sad.
TH: E-book
or hard copy?
HB:
Hard copy! I like holding out my hands and being able to flip a page. I don’t
like staring at a computer screen; I do it all day with my phone and everything
else. For a book, I’d rather just look at a piece of paper.
TH: I
completely agree. Okay, last part of the interrogation, I promise. How do you
see your work here affecting later career goals?
HB:
I enjoy having my own office space and having to stay organized. The office
environment is what I want. Well, eventually I’d like to have the fancy, closed
door, but … I’m working my way up to that! I won’t necessarily be working with
books, but I’m getting the practice of building relationships.
TH: So do
you have a dream job?
HB:
My dream job is somewhat uncertain. I fell in love with the marketing position
I used to have in my hometown. That interested me mainly because it’s business,
but it’s also artsy and I like that side of it. It’s a relaxing thing for me. I
like the feel of a small business, but I’ve also always pictured myself working
for a larger company. I’m kind of torn between those. I like the family aspect
of a small business, though. It’s like one large, dysfunctional family.
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Sounds like
Heather will fit right in with our own business family.