Stanford 125: Mary Nolan

TL;DR

A ground service manager reflects on their 20-year career at Stanford University and highlights the benefits, community involvement, and exciting opportunities they have experienced.

Transcript

so I'm a ground service manager with the Department than building real estates and I've been here for about 20 years like we'll put a dairy farm in Ireland so fantastic too cold to work every day and have 80 100 acres is my playground I've been very fortunate my career I started instead of work in the same department i started the gardener and foun... Read More

Key Insights

• 😃 The manager has enjoyed a long and fulfilling career at Stanford University, finding joy and passion in their work.
• 🧡 Stanford offers a diverse range of activities and classes that contribute to personal and professional growth.
• 🎓 Education is highly valued at Stanford, with the manager emphasizing its importance to younger employees.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has the ground service manager's career at Stanford impacted their personal life?

The manager has built a strong community and established friendships through activities like the B-word program, yoga, and gardening classes. Stanford has enriched their personal life in many facets.

Q: What advice does the manager give to younger employees?

The manager advises younger employees to take advantage of educational opportunities as education is a gateway to numerous opportunities in life. They encourage them to pursue further learning and growth.

Q: How was the manager involved in a recent project with Pink Countertop in Silicon Valley?

The manager participated in a project where a cast of 83 members from the Stanford community and Menlo Park came together to create a beautiful piece of entertainment. It was an exciting experience that allowed them to play and experiment.

Q: What is the manager's favorite moment at Stanford?

The manager's favorite moment is sitting at the top of the oval with colleagues every year on the Friday before commencement. It marks the completion of their hard work in preparing the campus for the event and is a time of gratitude and reflection.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The ground service manager has worked at Stanford University for 20 years, enjoying their daily work routine and the freedom to manage a large area.

• They have established a strong community of friends and people they would have never met otherwise through various activities and classes offered by Stanford.

• The manager has benefited personally, financially, and educationally from working at Stanford, even going back to school to acquire an MBA.