Employee Spotlight – Marissa Turner

This month we would like to introduce a few members of our Employee Advisory Group. Several years ago, the organization was considering changing our retirement plan; we wanted to get employees involved in that decision, and from there, we created the Employee Advisory Group (EAG).

Marissa Turner is one of our EAG members and has been with the organization for just over seven years; she says it was the non-profit status and commitment to serving others that drew her in. Marissa decided to join the EAG because she felt like it would be a great way to continue learning about the organization while also giving back. We asked Marissa a few questions to get to know her a bit better; see what she had to say below.

1. How has your work evolved?
   I was originally hired as an Admin Tech at the Peyton office; at that time, we still had our DD/DVR Division. I loved getting to interact with those customers. Since then, I have moved to Commerce, where I am currently an Employment Practitioner and have been in this role for about four years.
2. What is your favorite part of your job? What is your least favorite?
   The favorite part of my job is seeing and celebrating participants’ successes! My least favorite is all the documentation that is required.
3. Do you have a motto or personal mantra?
   “Just Keep Swimming!” from Finding Nemo.
4. What is the one thing you can’t live without?
   I cannot live without music.
5. What is one food that you cannot resist?
   I cannot resist potatoes, no matter how they are prepared.
6. If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?
   I would want the ability to stop time.
7. What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
   Hard work is a value that my family prioritizes, and I have parents and grandparents who have provided incredible examples of this. So even on days when I don’t want to work, I imagine what they would say, and it doesn’t take long to get moving. In addition, working alongside a fantastic team and hoping that I make a difference for at least one person each day are huge motivators.
8. What do you like to do when you’re not working?
   I enjoy reading, traveling, dancing, and spending time with my family and friends.
9. Who inspires you?
   My team, my family, my participants…inspiration is all around!
10. What’s your favorite memory while working at career path services?
    My memory does not work that great these days, but for one of the Admin Team meetings, I decorated the Board Room like a big playroom and had costumes and props for staff; it was a lot of fun! Another great memory is working on the Women Helping Women Fund grant proposal and designing the Proactive Success Coaching program along with Kelli Eller.
11. What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?
    That’s the question of the decade, and one I can’t seem to answer. I have always thought about going into medicine, and most recently, I have an affinity for neuroscience.
12. Tell me something that most people might not know about you.
    I grew up in a small town, I’ve volunteered in India, and I grew up dancing and cheering.
13. Anything else you would like to share?
    During my time at Career Path Services, my coworkers have become my family, and I am so incredibly grateful for that!