Name: Pam Varraso
Job: Administrative Assistant
Hometown: Weymouth, MA
How long have you been working at Winthrop?
14 1/2 years
What’s the best part of your job?
Oh my god, that’s easy. Students and all the interaction I have with them. The people I work with are fabulous.
What is the most stressful part of your job?
The students and the people I work with (laughs hysterically).Timelines, I hate timelines. I’m not good with them. You think you’re done but then you have to redo it.
What skills does your job entail?
Conflict resolution is one of the largest ones. Time management is also really important. I somehow got the job of working a switchboard, who knows how that happened. You have to know how to work with a bunch of people. You need to do accounting. It’s a lot of talking, good listening skills, being able to figure out what the other person wants and being able to direct them to the right person. Good typing skills, great editing skills.
Why did you want to come work at Winthrop?
I wanted to work at Winthrop because I wanted to have made it my last job, which I did. When I was interviewed, they asked me what my five year plan was and I said I wanted to retire here. It’s got good benefits and they let me think.
How have you changed since starting at Winthrop?
I put on my freshmen 15(laughs some more). I learned about a four year college. I didn’t understand the college arena. I found my dream job because student life is the spot that I should have been in. I’m much more confident about my skills because people have allowed me to fail and people have allowed me to grow. I’ve also had the opportunity to do just about anything.
What is something that you would like the freshmen and senior classes to know about college and post-grad life?
For freshmen: Watch your money and start preparing the day you start. Save for a rainy day. Don’t be eager to join unless you’re certain. Think before you speak. It’s not about how busy you are its about how you feel about what you’ve done. Busy doesn’t mean you’re popular, it just means that you filled up space. Learn to be comfortable with yourself. Get off the electronics, smell some roses!!!
For seniors: Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get the job that you think you’re going to get. Be prepared to be at the bottom and work your way up if you have to. Be prepared to be disappointed and hurt. Make friends with your parents; don’t blame somebody else for your shortcomings. Be able to make peace and move on.
Who has inspired you throughout your life?
My mom and my dad. My grandmothers were also a huge inspiration. I’ve got stories you will not believe but that’s for another time.
If you were stranded on a deserted island for two weeks, what 4 things would you want to have with you?
Oh…well first of all, why doesn’t anyone say a working cellphone so they can find me. That would be smart but I’m not gonna say that. I would want a machete, a good source of water, two weeks supply of food, and I’d have to have wine!
What is one place that you have always wanted to go?
Alaska, we were supposed to go there for our honeymoon.
How’d you end up in South Carolina?
It was time for us to have our own home and houses in Massachusetts were ridiculous. I looked at a map and closed my eyes and put my finger on a spot and it landed on Rock Hill. I did research and here we are.
What do you for fun?
I do lots and lots of gardening. I have plots all over Rock Hill; at the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority house, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house, the Rock Hill garden, etc. I also play guitar a little bit but nobody knows that about me. I also sing in the church choir. I like to think about ways to make things and I love reconstructing houses in my head; I find it relaxing to make my mind work.
A HUGE thanks to Miss Pam for the great interview. We had a lot of laughs and I have a lot more stories to hear!!
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