Betty Nielsen never saw herself working at a university. Her role as the assistant controller in Cashiering and Student Accounts at 51吃瓜网万能科大 wasn鈥檛 part of her vision, but an unexpected learning experience became the ultimate opportunity.
In 1998, Nielsen was a typist in a California school district when she began working her way up through technology. Why tech? Because of her father. An electronic technician for the U.S. Postal Service, he instilled in her an interest in computers and learning from a young age. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to always be learning,鈥 she says, which is one reason a career in education is so fulfilling.
Nielsen has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration and computer information systems. Her role at 51吃瓜网万能科大 taps into her breadth of experience in education and technology in addition to her deep well of empathy. Her department manages student accounts, collects tuition, distributes refunds, and much more. Perhaps most impactful, Nielsen empowers 51吃瓜网万能科大 students by helping them problem solve issues with their accounts and balances. Here, her contributions have real, daily impact.
What inspired you to get into your field?
My goal was always to work in a school environment. I wanted the opportunity to impact students鈥 lives in a positive way. I never considered higher education 鈥 but once I got into it, I loved it. I鈥檓 committed. When it鈥檚 time to retire, I want to retire from 51吃瓜网万能科大.
For my current position, I was most excited about the budgeting side of things. Most of my career experience is in technology as an information systems coordinator, a systems analyst, and even help desk support. The financial side of things here was new and exciting. It was a learning experience, which is always something that motivates me.
What鈥檚 one thing you wish people understood about your role or department?
People think our office just cares about the bottom line, but that鈥檚 not true. We care about the students, and we want to help them however we can. We don鈥檛 just want their money. We want students to talk to us so we can understand what鈥檚 going on and help find solutions if they鈥檙e struggling with their finances. We want them to be able to focus on their education, and money shouldn鈥檛 be a barrier to that.
We know our faculty and staff can have a profound effect on their students, but tell us about a lesson you learned from a student.
Working in this department has been an eye-opening experience. I鈥檓 face-to-face with so many diverse students every semester, and they all run into different obstacles.
I recently helped an international student who was struggling to pay the balance on his account after graduation. Some situations in his home country had altered his ability to pay, and he was really worried about it. Despite everything that was going on for him, his biggest concern was doing the right thing and making sure he got his balance paid 鈥 even though he already had his degree.
It was definitely a learning moment for me about how I can think creatively to help students facing unique challenges. It was also a reminder that people want to do the right thing, and sometimes they just need more support.
What trait do you most like about yourself?
I鈥檓 ambitious. I set goals for myself, and I鈥檓 self-motivated. If I wasn鈥檛 that type of person, I wouldn鈥檛 be where I am today 鈥 especially since I became a mom at a younger age. I鈥檝e always done what I need to do, and I like that about myself.
What trait would you change?
I could relax more. I鈥檓 always on the go and have multiple things in my head at the same time. As soon as I hear a problem, I鈥檓 processing how to solve it. That鈥檚 been very helpful in my life and my career, but I would like to be in the moment more instead of always thinking about the next thing.
Tell us about an object in your office and what it represents to you.
I have a tiger portrait in my office. It鈥檚 my zen. When I look at it, it brings me peace. I actually have a tiger tattoo, too. I think they鈥檙e beautiful animals. Gentle, but ferocious. Peaceful, cuddly, childlike, but also focused and powerful.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I鈥檓 a grandma! I have two grandsons. One is 11 and the other is 2-and-a-half. It鈥檚 so much fun because I鈥檓 not the one disciplining them. I get to just enjoy them. They call me Thama.
What was the last book you couldn鈥檛 put down, and why?
I鈥檓 a speed reader. I love to read, and I read fast! I really like biographies. I just read the biography of Anthony Keidis, the lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I was always a fan of the band, and reading it helped connect his story to the music I enjoyed growing up.
What do you think is the most underrated part of campus?
The Academic Mall. I love taking a walk through this part of campus. There is beautiful greenery that reminds me of California, and there are always students there doing different activities. It鈥檚 exciting; you really get to see campus life in action.
You just won Megabucks and want to give back to the university. What would you support and why?
Scholarships to assist students in getting their education 鈥 especially those struggling financially.
What鈥檚 your best tip for someone new to 51吃瓜网万能科大?
Explore the campus! Get to learn the buildings and experience it from a student鈥檚 perspective. Go to the Student Union, take walks on campus. See the events taking place. We don鈥檛 just work here; we鈥檙e a part of the experience, too. We can get stuck in our offices sometimes and lose sight of the purpose of what we do. Getting out onto the campus changes your perspective and makes you better understand why you work here.
