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Bobbie Lesane gets her inspiration from Oprah Winfrey.
"We're both down-to-earth black women," laughed Lesane, an office assistant in
the University Counseling Center.
Like Winfrey, Lesane used her own talent and initiative to move ahead in life.
Originally a housekeeping supervisor at the William and Ida Friday Continuing
Education Center, she took advantage of the University's Basic Clerical Skills
Program to learn new skills that led her to better, higher-paying jobs.
Lesane joined the first clerical program in 1994. That led to an internship in
the physical plant training office from August 1996 to February 1997. She was
promoted twice, from housekeeping to a permanent job in the training office and
from there in January 1998 to her present job at the counseling center.
"If it hadn't been for the training program, I don't think I would have
advanced as rapidly as I did," Lesane said. "I hope I will have more
opportunity for advancement and maybe an administrative job with the
University."
Last year, the Basic Clerical Skills Program was incorporated into a new New
Careers Training Program, set up as part of a legal agreement between the
University and its housekeepers. The program, funded at $100,000 annually for
three years beginning in 1997, provides training opportunities for the
University's lowest-paid employees. Those employees include some workers in
mail services, clerical jobs, groundskeeping and housekeeping.
"The University provides many opportunities for employees who want to
advance," said Laurie Charest, associate vice chancellor for human resources.
"Employees like Bobbie who have the desire to advance and the willingness to
work at it have demonstrated the success of these programs."
Employees from salary grades eligible for the program (50-54) serve on a board
that governs the program, deciding how to spend its budget and what training
programs to offer, said Erika Phillips, career coordinator in human resources.
The University hires instructors, usually from Durham Technical Institute, and
usually provides class space on campus. Employees may take classes during work
hours.
New Careers, and earlier programs that became incorporated into New Careers,
have attracted 170 employee participants, including those currently enrolled
who will graduate in September. Approximately 20 to 25 percent of the previous
146 graduates have received new jobs as a result, Phillips said. Courses have
included two certified nursing assistants' programs, two light construction
programs and an early childhood education program in which six employees are
training to work in day care.
"The programs are an excellent opportunity for employees to get new training
for other careers," Phillips said. "So far, the response has been wonderful."
Some graduates are chosen to continue their training on the job in six-month
internships. University departments providing internships deserve part of the
credit for New Careers' success, Phillips said.
Lesane, 28, of Chadbourn, had been in the University housekeeping department
for four years when she decided in 1994 to change her life.
"I said to myself that it was time to get out of housekeeping," she said. "I
wanted an opportunity to better myself in my life and my career, so I decided
to take advantage of the resources the University had to offer."
A self-described "all-around, friendly person who tries to help everybody,"
she completed the one-year Basic Clerical Skills Program while still working as
a housekeeping team leader. "It showed me some of the skills needed to become a
secretary," she said. The program covers keyboarding, filing, typing, basic
business writing and office procedures, Phillips said.
Now a part-time student at Durham Tech, Lesane plans to graduate in summer
1999 with an associate of arts degree in office systems technology.
"Before I was in the program, I did not have any clerical experience at all.
Now I feel like I am better prepared for the future," she said. "I would highly
recommend the program for anyone who wants to better themselves."
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