What do the Golden Girls, European train rides, and the Cello have to do with Program Management Specialist Katie U. Read on to find out.
What are the key functions of a Program Management Specialist?
Aside from managing the projects assigned to me I also provide my strategic project support to my office, like budget analysis, annual project reviews, and strategic programmatic reviews.
What are your top likes and dislikes about working remotely?
Best thing about remote working is not having a long commute. Throughout my career I lived in Gaithersburg, Rockville, Herndon, and Fairfax and found no easy hour or less commute to DC unless I were to live in DC. The commute to and from DC ate up so much of my workday.
While working remotely is great, I do miss the general social interactions that come with being in the office. While I don’t mind virtually popping by someone’s office to ask a question there is really no virtual replacement for the in-person social interaction in the hallways.
You went to graduate school in Germany. Why did you choose to pursue your master’s degree overseas and what was your favorite part of that experience?
I first went abroad to Germany as part of my junior year of undergraduate and loved it so much I stayed for my senior year and graduated from the University of Iowa while abroad. I came home and started working to figure out my next steps. I knew I wanted to continue my international studies, but I wasn’t quite sure where. I was considering a Georgetown MA in International and European Studies, when I figured, why not study in Europe, and save a lot on tuition?
I applied to the University of Konstanz and was accepted into their master’s program. The fact that my now husband was also living in Germany may have also factored a little into my decision.
It was great studying in Germany. I loved it for a variety of reasons: It costs significantly less than the graduate programs in the U.S. Huge savings compared to living and studying in Georgetown! While studying international relations, I was also able to see places and experience the culture, too. I felt like this enhanced my studies, especially elements focusing on Europe and the EU.
I also loved how easy it was to travel to new places. I could walk to Switzerland from my apartment (Konstanz Germany is on the border of Switzerland). In a short 1-2 hour plane or train ride I could easily be in another country. It still amazes me that I can drive for 8-10 hours and still be in Texas, or drive for days and still be in the U.S.
What is a movie or tv series you can watch over and over again and why? If you’re more of a reader, what book can you read or listen to repeatedly and why?
I love the show Golden Girls. I remember my parents watching it when it first came out and always watching reruns as I grew up. I find the jokes hilarious to this day.
What does your perfect day off look like?
Most of my days off my kids have off so we tend to do what they want to do or run errands. If my kids had school and I had a true day to myself I would either work on some of my hobbies (sewing, crocheting amigurumi, playing the cello and piano, or ballroom dancing) or go over to World Spring Spa and relax in the pools all day with a good book.
