By Linda C. Reynolds, ‘93 and Elizabeth Brown, ‘10
Savannah Tackett has been singled out by the Student Crafts Department for
going the extra mile. Savannah was
chosen from 120 students who work in the Broomcraft, Ceramics, Weaving, Woodcraft,
and Wrought Iron divisions under the Student Crafts umbrella. Going the extra
mile meant taking on many of the responsibilities of a full-time employee.
In three years Savannah went from beginning woodworker to the top student in
the program, all while working as a full-time student and mother of two children.
Getting to this place in her life was the result of both detours and opportunities.
Savannah graduated with distinction from Madison Southern High School in 2002.
For the next two years she worked in the service industry but soon realized
she “wanted
to do more with my life by building a stable environment for my family.” Wanting
a higher education she applied to and was accepted by Berea College. As a freshman
she was assigned to a labor position in Woodcraft. There she worked the first
few months refinishing wood products and weaving baskets and stools. Then the
opportunity arose to move up to an administrative position in Woodcraft. Hesitant,
Savannah made up her mind to give the vacant position a try. Despite her lack
of experience in business and woodcraft, she was a quick learner.
Handling the demands of the Woodcraft Department, she was soon promoted
to an additional duty – student administrative assistant of the Student
Crafts Department. Much of Savannah’s time is spent assisting customers
over the phone and internet, facilitating sales, and dealing with various company
vendors and representatives. She works up to 20 hours a week while maintaining
her high GPA and making the Dean’s list. Even with this demanding daily
schedule she still says “it’s
been a journey worth taking.”
Savannah says the labor program has helped
her establish a solid work ethic by teaching her responsibility and important
skills that she applies to other areas of her life. Dealing with a variety
of people in a range of situations will be invaluable for her career in social
work. The Child and Family Studies major says “this training and
experience will prepare me to work closely with families in stressful situations.”
Before planning a social work career, Savannah considered pre-law and in
2006 she completed an internship in a local law office. Working there Savannah
realized the attorney track would not lead to the kind of career she wanted.
There wasn’t
enough hands-on connection and experience with children. “It was just
too impersonal,”
she states.
Undertaking a second internship the summer of 2007, Savannah worked
with the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass in Lexington, Kentucky.
Savannah assisted a network of trained professionals helping children and families
who have allegedly or actually experienced some type of sexual abuse. At the
Center she worked with
sexually abused children ranging from ages 3-18 years to help lessen their
trauma.
Savannah feels this type of work is more in line with her future career.
First, because this gives Savannah the professional experience and background
necessary for social work. Secondly, she is directly involved with children
and any such involvement is desirable because she loves children. By choosing
this line of work Savannah knows, “I can have a positive, direct effect
upon children on a daily basis.”
Savannah enjoys life as a Berea College student and
admires the diversity and single parent initiatives. With the realization of
what she wants from a career, Savannah’s long term goal is to become
a pediatric physician.
But for the next year, she will continue working at Student Crafts and completing
her Child and Family Studies degree.
Attending Berea College has been an experience Savannah will never forget, “I
wouldn’t change a thing.”
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