Mentoring in a Minute
Great advice from sucessful UND Alumni
Susan Crockett, ’66
Susan is vice president, senior technology officer, health and nutrition at General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition in Minneapolis.
What do you look for in a good co-worker?
Mastery of their field (required). Also: collaboration skills, ability to innovate and adapt to change; evidence of delivering outstanding results.
How have you stayed engaged in and passionate about your career?
Taking on new and broader responsibilities, seeking new assignments, taking advantage of training opportunities, seeking positions that match with my passions.
Sherri McDaniel, ’89
Sherri is vice president, worldwide temperature for Emerson Process Management Rosemount Division in Minneapolis.
What is one thing you wish you’d known when you graduated from UND and embarked on the next phase of your life?
The opportunities are absolutely endless and it is up to each of us to create our path, through some thoughtful planning and through some good fortune, so we can add value & do work.
Was there anything you worried about as you entered your career that you later realized didn’t matter or wasn’t very important?
I was probably pretty worried about starting salary and worried about plus or minus a few thousand dollars, which seemed like a lot of money at the time. In hindsight, the company culture and career opportunities are much more important. The money will come in time.
How have you stayed engaged and passionate about your career?
By taking on new challenges that push me out of my comfort zone every couple of years, I’ve really been able to stay excited about my career.
Laurie Furuseth, ’81, ’83
Laurie is a partner in Rustad and Furuseth, CPAs, in Williston, N.D.
What is one thing you wish you’d known when you graduated from UND and embarked on the next phase of your life?
There are so many important choices to make. Don’t be afraid to make a wrong choice. You can always change or adjust your choice to fit a situation or your personal goals.
Was there anything you worried about as you entered your career that you later realized didn’t matter or wasn’t very important?
The title you have and the money you make are not as important as the enjoyment you receive from the work you do.
Do you have a good work/life balance? How do you manage this?
It is something I’m always working at. It doesn’t just happen. There are times when work has to be the priority. At other times, I really make an effort to make time for family and personal things that are important to me.