Notre Dame Federal Credit Union’s Post

We're thrilled to celebrate Katy Taft's one-year anniversary with us at Direct Federal! 👏 She has been an incredible asset to our Member Services team. Here's what Katy had to say as she looked back on her year with us: What made you apply for your job at Direct Federal? “I was looking to start my career in the financial industry, I felt my qualities could help me succeed in this position. I also enjoyed the idea of working for a Credit Union/Bank due to its job security, career growth opportunities, diverse job roles, exposure to the latest technologies, and opportunities for professional development. What really spoke to me was your (our) values—Drive, Integrity, Resilience, Engagement, Competence, and Teamwork. Over this past year, I really do love how this statement stands to be true. We really do try our hardest to work together and get things done for our members/community. It’s very admirable.” What was your first day like at Direct Federal? “Snowy. Of course, my first day had to be during a snowstorm, but it was nice. I love Erin; Erin really does a great job with the onboarding process and is a great people person for the job. Made me feel very welcomed.” What is your favorite part of your job? “MY MEMBERS. I love my members. I have a few who will come in just to see me. I think it helps that I remember most, if not all, their names. I have a knack for remembering faces and names and their usual business. Really, the look of shock when I address them by their first names, it’s fun.” What has been your most significant achievement? “THIS JOB. Making it a whole year without having any knowledge about banking and learning as much as I possibly can.” If you could go back a year ago, when you started your role at Direct Federal, and give yourself advice, what would it be? “Breathe. It’s only going to be stressful if you allow it to be.”

I am celebrating my one year work anniversary at GableGotwals! 🌟 My first year as a lawyer overlapped with my first year as a new mom — which was daunting, to say the least. I worried and wondered how it would all work out: childcare, balancing, keeping up. Being a working mom is tough, because it is very easy to feel like you are failing at everything. “I’m not a good enough lawyer because I’m a mom. I’m not a good enough mom because I’m a lawyer.” My colleagues and mentors at GableGotwals have actively and ardently worked to alleviate these insecurities. I have received constant support, encouragement, and understanding during my first year of practice. Thinking back, I recall so many examples of my colleagues going out of their way to tell me: “Great work.” “I appreciate you.” “You belong here.” “We couldn’t have done this without you.” As a new lawyer, you need a safe place to learn. You need people who speak highly of you to your face and behind closed doors. You need examples of integrity and excellence to model after. You need community and friendship. You need leadership that you can trust and believe in. I have all of that and more at GableGotwals. This is the best firm, and it’s because of the people. I have learned so much about law practice this year, and I intend to keep learning. But, I have also learned so much about the type of person I want to be—and that makes all the difference. Here’s to year two, and hopefully many more after that!

As I celebrate my work anniversary today, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some invaluable lessons I have gathered in the past year of being a 'Corporate Girlie': ▶ Forging your own path: Cookie-cutter careers are so 1998! Instead of chasing prescribed routes, try carving your own niche - this could well be the beginning of a journey of self-discovery, unlocking hidden potential and leaving an impression which uniquely defines you! ▶ Embracing open doors: Make sure to leave the sugarcoating on your cupcakes and have candid conversations with your mentors on what is working, what isn't and most importantly what you truly want. This will help them help you forge your path! ▶ Intentional Networking: Think beyond Linkedin connections. In-person networking events if utilized tactfully can go a long way in helping you cultivate genuine and powerful connections in the workforce. Practise your elevator pitch and ditch the algorithm to find your real world tribe! ▶ Self - Advocacy: Blowing your own trumphet might not be very fun for a lot of us, but it is important to make sure you articulate your contibutions, celebrate milestones and own your own narrative. In my opinion, self-advocacy is the professional expression of self-value. ▶Embrace Balance: Hobbies have a transformative power which is pretty understated, they act as much needed distractions while granting you fresh perspectives. Make sure to indulge in your 5-9's as deeply as you do in your 9-5. P.s - Happy New Year and here's to a successful 2024!

Beyond the years of Service We often pat ourselves on the back for sticking around a place for a long time. "Look at me, ten years here!" we boast. But let's be real: it's not just about the number of years you've clocked in. It's about what you've done with that time. Think of your career like a garden. Sure, you can brag about how long you've tended it, but the real beauty lies in the flowers you've grown, the challenges you've overcome, and the lessons you've learned along the way. Those are the things that truly matter. Every day at work is a chance to learn something new. You've probably faced some big challenges, celebrated some huge wins, and worked with all sorts of amazing people. That's the stuff that makes you who you are professionally. So, next time you're thinking about your work anniversary, don't just count the years. Take a moment to appreciate the incredible journey you've been on. And remember, the best way to celebrate is to share your knowledge and experiences with others. You never know who you might inspire. What do you think? Have you ever felt like your career was more about the journey than the destination? pls write to me your thoughts

Happy 6-month work anniversary to me! 🎉 Can't believe how quickly time flies when you're learning and growing! Here are some updates on my journey: 1. Exciting news! I was honored with a 2023 Performance Recognition Award for my hard work and dedication. 2. I've been honing my PowerPivot and data skills in Excel, and it's been an enlightening journey. 3. I've been immersed in our ERP system and have made significant strides in becoming proficient in it. 4. Creating meaningful relationships has been a highlight for me. Building strong connections with colleagues and partners has been incredibly rewarding. 5. Gaining insight into the operational workings of a larger company, especially in a new industry, has been invaluable. It's given me a clearer perspective on how to drive positive change. Here's to more challenges, more growth, and more achievements in the next six months and beyond! 🚀

When things get hard… This is what it actually means: 1. You are doing something that’s meaningful to you. 2. Success will taste a lot better later. 3. You are getting a training on handling hard for when it gets hardER. 4. You get an opportunity to sharpen skills. 5. You get an opportunity to realign yourself with your true values. 6. You got an opportunity to cut down on distractions. 7. You got an opportunity to create great memories (this one day is going to be the ‘good old days’). 8. You got a great opportunity to learn something new about yourself. This is what it actually means among other cool things. My LinkedIn network is reminding me today is my work anniversary. So this is the perspective I'd like to share with you. When it gets hard, that's one of the main ingredients for magic to happen. So, take it the way it comes!

Please join us in congratulating Matthew Krause on his 10 year work anniversary! We sat down with Matthew to talk about his tenure at Krause, his accomplishments, and the many lessons learned over the years. Q: What is the key to staying successful in your 10-year tenure? A: "The key has been a combination of adaptability and a deep passion for innovation. Over the past decade, I’ve embraced new trends, challenges, and opportunities, always staying curious and driven to deliver unique and inspiring solutions." Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned in the last 10 years? A: "The most valuable lessons I’ve learned happened when everything was “going wrong.” It is in these moments where we have the choice to give up or use it as fuel for growth. It is the power of collaboration. While individual creativity is important, the most successful projects are born from a team effort, where diverse ideas come together to create something truly remarkable." Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of? A: "It is an interesting thing summing up one’s experiences over the course of 10 years. I’m incredibly proud of our team and leadership’s ability to push creative solutions and not being satisfied with the “status quo.” Over the decade, I was given opportunities to use my creativity nature to lead several in-house advancements to the company. This has not only brought fresh, creative solutions to our internal team, but also experiences to our clients that has had a lasting impact on Krause’s outreach. Each one stands as a testament to the importance of a company that allows you the ability to stay curious about the world around each of us and the community at large. Hard work and passion are at the core of our entire team." Q: With a decade of experience under your belt, do you have any advice to up-and-coming individuals in your field? A: "Be a shark, in the best possible way. Adapt to change, stay curious, seek out your interests, embrace challenges, never stop moving forward, and learn all you can, while you can."

One month anniversary at The PAC Group. Some reflections 💭 People work for people. The best thing about the past 30 days is the passion and support I’ve experienced. People cheering you on and wanting to see you succeed is motivating beyond measure. Ask questions, over and over. It helps build base knowledge while you learn the rest. Listen carefully and take a million notes 😅 And finally, don’t look back. Every experience in life is worth having. No matter what breaks us, it makes us all the same. Bring on month two 💪🏼🥳 And for those still searching for the right role. You have to kiss few frogs in life to meet your prince but being clear what you do and don’t want helps. If recruiters ghost you, more fool them, it says much more about the company and their ethics than it ever does about you. Keep focused and go again.

Today, I recognize one of my greatest career accomplishments: celebrating my 13th anniversary with my husband Robert Maloney. We actually met at work, but more significant is the time we have spent growing into leadership roles in different industries (he had a head start) during COVID, rapidly changing and uncertain workplace dynamics and evolving business structures -- while also raising a young family. When we do get quiet moments late at night, we commiserate over shared work challenges and celebrate each other's milestones. This has often reaffirmed our values that we hope to model for our children: - Pride in work. We don't take our responsibilities lightly or those of our teams'. - Humor. We might take our work seriously, but not ourselves and find the absurd in everything. - Mentorship. It shaped our own work ethic, and we wish we could find more space to guide our teams. - Resourcefulness. It's a lost art and why God invented Google. - Gratitude. We pause to remind ourselves of the privilege we've been given in our roles - even during moments of frustration. It's not been an easy road, and balance usually eludes us. We have different styles and approaches, but marriage -- like business partnerships - benefits from those who have complementary skills committed to a single mission and shared values. While this might all seem very unromantic, it's actually served us well in our personal and professional lives - and makes us appreciate each other more.

To my friends: Thank you so much for the messages of congratulations on my 40th work anniversary and for your other messages of support over the past few years! I'm not great at dealing with social media, but hope to get back to each of you individually. The last few years have had increasing demands of family and substantial personal and professional turbulence. Those demands haven't quite crested yet, but I think they might in the near future. In the meantime, you have my gratitude for the joy and satisfaction that have come to me in these 40 years and my best wishes for your happiness. A company and its projects may create the opportunities, but it is the wonderful people like you that make it worthwhile in your individual, special ways. To would-be employers and staffing professionals: While I am still "ready to work," I'm interested in projects, not positions. I want to help solve a worthwhile problem or work on a worthwhile project. I don't want a kingdom or a subject area responsibility. If you don't have a specific problem/project or can't tell me what it is, please don't waste your time or my time. (I haven't once in several years had an inquiry that came with a problem or project description, so I'm not even sure this is possible in business today. If not, that's fine.) Also please understand that the architecture I practice is the optimized hardware/software interface kind, not the "how is this database (or other large blob of middleware or application) structured?" kind. Thanks!