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Terra Success Stories
(Usually, I take what the
graduate sends me to craft it into a success story. I couldn't do any
better than this. Here is Eva Castillo - in her own words.
- Editor)
Thanks for the opportunity to let
you know what an impact having graduated from Terra Technical College
had on my career.
And it is a Career because I am actively
doing what I went to college for! My name is Eva Castillo and I
have lived all my life in Port Clinton. I graduated in 1978 (the 10th
anniversary class). My major was Banking and Finance with an Associate
Degree in Applied Business. One month before graduating I was
hired by our hometown bank, The American Bank.
I started in bookkeeping and eventually transferred
into the Accounting Dept. In 1985, I was hired by Ottawa County as a Deputy
Auditor (1 of 6). My primary duties included the county payroll for 600
employees and paying the county's bills. In 1999, after 14 years with Ottawa County, I chose to
go to the City of Port Clinton as their Deputy Auditor. As the only
person in that position I took on many more responsibilities, which
meant lots of variety. My job consisted of not only
Payroll, but also Financial Management, Human Resource and
Administrative duties. I've helped set Policies and Procedures for the
City.
And in 2006, I was promoted to Water Office Manager
in charge of water and sewer utilities while still performing as deputy
auditor, although not in the day to day duties. Having graduated in 1978 means
there were no personal computers. Back then Terra had
only 2 computers that took up a whole room.
We had to sign up for computer time. I don't
remember how much time we were allowed, maybe 15/20 minutes. We had to
write computer programs or applications on flow charts that we entered
into the computer. I think it was called the Binary System.
The computer would produce cards that were
keypunched with information for the application of say "payroll
processing".
If your flow chart failed to include tax
tables or hourly rate of pay, your payroll check would be wrong. Maybe
not an F for the class because you did produce a paycheck!! To this day, I can use the Federal Government Tax
Tables from Schedule E to calculate taxes manually, because the tables
are calculated the same as they were back in 1978!! Having gone through the above I can understand the
logic of a computer. I am not saying I can write programs but I know
that if the foundation of an application is not correct then the end
product will be wrong. And this is so true in not only payroll but in
calculating water bills and also setting up formulas in Excel
Spreadsheets (Microsoft) something that never existed in 1978. I think I graduated with over a 3.0 GPA. I was naive
about that magna cum stuff or I would have tried harder. While in high school at Port
Clinton, I performed well in academics. I was a member of the National
Honor Society and my parents were so proud of me! In the spring before
graduation in 1976, my parents told me they would support me in
attending college. My parents worked hard in a factory and I was 1 of 9
kids. For them to pay for my college would mean sacrifices for my
family.
I chose Terra because it offered a degree
that I was suited for - math/business. And the only expenses were
tuition & books. If it wasn't for Terra or my
parents, I know I wouldn't be where I am today. Terra offers an
alternative, a way to earn a Degree without on campus expenses.
I remember my high school graduation present of a
calculator for college and showing my parents how it could add &
multiply without pencil or paper. 30 years later, Terra & calculators still exist. I would recommend Terra to any person that is looking
for their notch in life. Terra offers more hands on and an opportunity
not to commit until you are sure. Thank you, Terra, for giving me 30 years of success in
only two years. Eva Castilllo, Deputy Auditor/Water Office Manager
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