I am officially retiring from one of the best jobs in Utah Valley any day now.

I'm a family man now and my family needs me.
This is exciting, even if I were to work a few hours of overtime a day at my so-called day job, I would still be home everyday way before 7:00. :)

I have been thinking about my nearly three years of service. I really have been a stable employee for being a part-timer. What skills will my successor need?

1. Flexible and easy-going attitude.
2. Somewhat OK customer service skills.
3. Computer skills.
4. Ability to cope with long periods of inactivity.
5. Seeing the humor in a prospective student calling you right back just to say he isn't "impressed" with the course offerings.
6. Somewhat dependable. The department will be your new home. Learn it, live it, love it.

I thought I would mention some more amusing moments:

1. In 2005, the high school specialist kept a wallpaper of shirtless guys in swimming shorts. One day I finally said: "Does that mean I can have girls in bikinis for my wallpaper?" She simply said, "Sure, go for it."

2. One colleague was amused by writing random things on the department calendar. This same girl was really stressed one day and blurted out: "What are these T.P.S. reports and why are they due by Monday!" I got a huge laugh out of that one.

3. A few years back, we only had an old school credit card machine to take credit card payments and we could only take Visa or Mastercard. One of the girls accidentally ran an American Express. Huge drama. :)

4. When I first started, I took a call from Eagle Mountain one night. The girl was having connection problems with her browser, so we dove into troubleshooting. She finally said: "Do you really work for Distance Ed. or are you just being nice?" That comment will live on long after I retire from here.

- Brandon

P.S. Maybe this post will help someone in need get a good part-time job just as one of my readers got the job for me. It's only fair. Thanks Shawn!

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