Interview with APA member Jodi Potter
Administrative Assistant, Dean’s Office  |  MSU College of Education
How long have you been at MSU?
I started working at MSU in the fall of 2008 at CSTAT (Center for Statistical Training and Consulting).
Have you been a member of APA the whole time?
No. When I began working at CSTAT in 2008, I was an on-call temp in a 19 hour per week position. In June 2010, the College of Education posted a 50% time APA position in the Dean’s Office which I filled. Since an APA cannot also be employed on campus in an on-call position, CSTAT created a 50 % CT position in September 2010. I currently work both jobs – as far as I know, I am the only person on the entire MSU campus to be both a CT and an AP!
Can you tell me a little bit about what you do?
In my APA position, I am the graduate records secretary for the College of Education. I monitor paperwork related to PhD and master’s students’ academic progress throughout their degree. I also crunch data for the College so our programs can be ranked against other colleges of education nationwide. I also function as the secretary for the curriculum of teacher education certification programs. When the State of Michigan changes the rules about how educated a teacher must be, our programs have to change and I am responsible for making sure the materials are turned in.
At CSTAT I do a bit of everything; since there is just one secretary – me – I am the office administrator in charge of HR, hiring, the service center, managing clients, record-keeping, and organizing training workshops. Our faculty give presentations to others about statistical software and I am in charge of registration and making sure the workshops go as planned.
What brought you to your job at MSU?
I was forced into a career change from my previous position off campus. I was drawn to MSU because of its positive workforce, and the structure of positions is well-defined.
What do you love about working at MSU?
I like that there are clear expectations with no drama.
What are the challenges of working two separate jobs on campus?
At both jobs, the workload at times doesn’t fit into 4 hours a day. It is hard having to walk away from a project because you do need to leave for the other job. I like to finish things and do them well but I feel rushed sometimes because I have to leave. There is a delicate balance between quality and time allotted.
What do you like to do when you are not at work?
I like working on my home, especially working in the garden. I also like spending time with my neighbors – they are a good group of people – and my friends and family.