Interview Transcript of Kally Kruchten

Please spell your first and last name

and nickname if applicable: Kally Kruchten

When did you start your employment with ARCC -Coon Rapids? April 2007

What age were you when you started? I was 23 years old.

How long have you been working there? I will have my 3 year “anniversary” with Anoka-Ramsey in April.

Why did you decide to work for ARCC, CR? I was currently unemployed with a 4 month old son, and our family needed two incomes in order to get by. I applied, was interviewed and hired as a full-time employee.

What is your position at ARCC, CR? I am an administrative assistant for the Marketing & Public Relations Department, and am also located in the President’s Office so I do some administrative duties for the President as needed.

How many hours do you work per week? 40 hours every week.

What types of duties do you have? I am fortunate that my job has a lot of variety. I have my ongoing duties such as purchasing paperwork and contracts, writing and publishing the College Bulletin (for employees), supervising our student worker, taking and organizing photos, arranging retirement/farewell parties for eligible employees, and I also work closely with the President’s Assistant on mailings and filing. In the last 6 months my position has also been geared toward the new Web site. The majority of the work I do on the Web is for the College Bulletin, which is published weekly. I also work with the flash player on the home page (the picture/information slides) and help keep our events calendar and session-sign-up pages updated. Last spring, we had two major school events that I facilitated with a close team of other employees; the Visual Arts Center Groundbreaking Ceremony and the Cambridge Campus Patio Dedication Ceremony.

Do you have any special skills? I believe that my attitude is a very special skill. Customer Service is a large part of Marketing & Public Relations. I have learned a lot during my employment at Anoka-Ramsey and feel that the computer skills and feel that those skills will be used throughout my life.

Do you take your work home with you? I have done it in the past only to get ahead on a project over a weekend, but it is not necessary. For example, in the winter of 2008 I took home a project to make candy boxes for legislators and senators in order to pursue them to vote to fund our college on a building project. It must have helped, because the state gave our college that money for the Visual Arts Center now being constructed.

How often? Maybe once or twice every 6 months.

What types of benefits do you get for working at ARCC? As a full-time, permanent employee I am eligible for the full benefits package. This includes family medical and dental insurance, life insurance, retirement package, short-term and long-term disability leave, staff development funds and wellness funds, and after 3 years of employment I am eligible for the MnSCU Tuition Waiver. All that and a job I enjoy!

Education

Did you attend ARCC before employment? I did as a PSEO student in my senior year of high school, and for one semester in the spring of 2006.

If so, how long did you attend ARCC before employment? A total of two semesters.

If not, where did you attend college before you’re employment? I attended UMD for two years, and SCSU for one year.

Are you currently registered for any classes while employed? I will begin taking courses this spring to attain my AA w/ emphasis in Psych.

If so, which ones? Intro to Stats, and Abnormal Psych.

How many credits are you taking? I hope to take 6.

Any online classes? Yes, Abnormal Psych.

How much time do you spend doing anything school related? Right now I don’t spend any time. That will change when I begin classes.

If not, do you plan on furthering you education? Yes, I do.

When do you plan on attending college? Spring 2010

What are your goals you plan to achieve? AA w/ emphasis in Psych. and then apply for the B.A. in Community Psych.

Is there anything motivating you to go back? My family first, and my own personal ambition.

What do you plan do to do with your degree after you get it? Unsure.

Home

What city do you live in? (if your not comfortable with that please specify you county) Sauk Rapids, MN

Are you married, single, don’t specify? Yes, I am married.

Do you have any children? Yes, we have a son who will be 3 years old in January.

What do you think with will be your biggest obstacle with juggling work, family, and school ( when you start ) ? I think the most difficult thing for me when I go back to school is going to be the time management. Drawing the line where work ends, school begins, and then to go home to a family will be difficult. Especially trying to find time to study. My situation will be a little different since I drive an hour one way just to get to work.

Do you have a plan or strategy for juggling all three? I plan on taking two classes: one night class and one online. I am hoping that I can get some studying done in between work and my evening class and also hope to have an hour of study time each evening and find more time on the weekends.

Do you have any tips for other working mothers motivated to go back to school? ( this could be motivational or tips on how to do all three) Maybe after I start the school experience as a working mother ; ) I am motivated to start school because I know it will allow more career options for me to provide for my family.

Do you believe that ARCC has a flexible staff and courses to where you would recommend working mothers to continue their education there?

Why or why not? Yes, I do believe Anoka-Ramsey has flexible courses. My options range from taking evening classes, to online, to classes offered off campus in the College on Your Corner program. I would recommend Anoka-Ramsey because of those options that people have and also because we are the lowest cost tuition institution in the system. I think that those are two very important aspects when it comes to choosing a school.

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