My name is Maddy Albanese, I use she/they pronouns and have been a UC employee for 2 1/2 years now. I work for the University Center as an Information Services Desk Attendant. Information Services is the front desk of the University Center. We are here to answer any questions about campus, often being the first place people stop when they don’t know what to do or who to speak to. We also provide services such as mailing supplies, resume printing, phone and laptop chargers, and lost and found.

What does an average day look like working for the UC? What does your position entail?

   An average day for me at Information Services would be opening the desk in the morning. First I would go through register for the day and count it to ensure it’s accurate. I would then turn on the TV behind the desk, which displays all our services and prices. I would also put out the water bowl for service animals near the entrance of the UC. Once all of these are done, I am ready to open the gate and help customers! In between customers, I have a variety of tasks to do, such as logging lost and found, doing cash reports, sorting mail, organizing the desk, and more as they come up! The desk always has something to do!

What does being a UC employee mean to you?

   To me, being a UC employee means working in a supportive environment. The UC fosters a great balance between being professional and still having fun. Even if I am having a stressful day, there is always something at work that will make me feel supported or lighten my mood. I am not afraid to make mistakes in the UC and use them to learn.

What are some of the most memorable days/moments working for the UC?

  One of the most memorable days I had working for the UC was setting up for Chancellor King’s inauguration. The whole UC was working together to make the inauguration as best as I could be, and it felt like a big community coming together to support one another.

Why should students visit the UC?

  Students should visit the UC because of all the wonderful and useful things it has to offer! From food, to study spaces, to fun activities, and even educational events, there is something in the UC for everyone! It is also in a convenient location, being in the center (or heart!) of campus. It is a great spot to relax in between classes.

How will your position at the UC help you in your future career?

  Working at Information Services has taught me how to work with a variety of people. From both my coworkers and customers, everyone is different in their unique way and all deserve to be treated with respect. Information Services has also allowed me to pick the kind of projects I want to work on and expand on those particular skills. For example, I created a new spreadsheet for Information Services employees to more accurately track the type of questions we receive, that way we are even more prepared when a customer asks a question. In this project, I got the opportunity to practice my data analysis skills, Google Sheets skills, and writing skills which are all important for any career I go into in the future.

How do you balance school, work, extracurricular activities, and a social life?

   Balancing each aspect of my college life can be challenging, but I rely on my Outlook Calendar to help me do this. I set aside time to do specific tasks or events, while still including time for myself or friends and meal breaks. I also utilize different phone apps to remind myself of everything I need to accomplish.