a coincidental circle

Waaaaay back in the day, when I was still a student assistant working for the UA Telecommunications department, I worked with a woman named June. Her husband Rod was the director for IT at the time and Telecom was an auxiliary that worked closely with IT. It made for some confusing org charts at the time, but it was notable that the manager for Telecom didn’t really get along with June. It was one of those things, you know?

Being a helpful person, I made it a point to help keep June on track and smoothed over any friction between her and the manager. It made her work days a little easier and I think she appreciated it.

Having an interest and aptitude with computers, I applied for a full time position with IT on the HelpDesk. On the day of my interview, Rod called me up and asked if I wanted a ride across campus from the Lincoln building to the Computer Center. I thanked him, but said I was planning on just walking over – no need to make a special trip.

“How about I give you a ride anyway?” he said, and I shrugged (which he couldn’t see on the phone) and agreed.

On the ride over, he told me who I would be interviewing with, what questions to expect, and advice on how to handle the trick questions that one of the managers was sure to spring on me.

I was a little surprised by this, but realized I’d already gathered a good reputation with IT while still a student – and he wanted to see my succeed. I suspect his wife put in a good word for me as well.

The interview went well – and I picked a different route with the trick question and still did okay. And thus began my full time job with the computer helpdesk for the University of Akron.

A few years later, Rod was re-organizing the computer center and called me up. I’d worked in a couple different areas and he asked me what I wanted to do next.

“Well,” I said, “I like working on the website, so maybe the webteam?”

And, like that, I was on the webteam. My new boss was a little skeptical, but I soon found my niche and became a productive part of the team.
Fast forward to today and we’ve got a gap in the switchboard schedule this morning. I’m in a dress shirt and tie for the Service Awards this afternoon and answering calls for the university solo from the switchboard office in the Lincoln building.

A call comes in and has Rod’s name on the display. When I answer, I recognize June’s voice when she asks to be transferred to Benefits.

“Is this June?” I ask and when she says yes – with some puzzlement in her voice – I identify myself and ask her how she’s doing. She recognizes me and we chat for a moment before I transfer her call.
How strange that, on the day I get my 20 year service award, I talk to one of the people who helped me get started? June and Rod have both long since retired and it was so random that she would call today and I’d be on the phones for that one hour to answer.

Humans tend to made connections and associations even when there is no correlation. But it was a neat little circle there and I’m glad that connection happened.

I got my certificate later in the afternoon for 20 years – and surprised myself with being a bit nostalgic.