Ozarks Profile - Jennifer Tate

What is your job?

Jennifer Tate is program coordinator for the Southwest Missouri State University Computer Institute, a part of SMSU's College of Continuing Education. "I coordinate a non-credit computer training program available to anyone interested in learning more about computers," she said. "I also coordinate computer training programs for SMSU faculty, staff and graduate students."

Please tell us about your company.

"We provide training for some of the largest companies in Springfield and offer over 500 classes a year," Tate said. "We specialize in one-day computer training classes in state-of-the-art Gateway labs. Our instructors specialize in helping participants acquire skills they can put to use immediately. We also offer customized training, lab rentals, tutorials, onsite training and a testing center for certification exams."

What prepared you for work in your field?

Tate has a Bachelor of Science degree in communications management from SMSU. While working on a master's degree in business administration in 1999, she began handling the Institute's daily operations and occasionally teaching. She started coordinating the program in August 2000. "The MBA gave me all the tools to be successful," she said, "but one of the things that prepared me the most for the job was the endless hours I have spent on the computer and the customer first' attitude I was taught at an early age."

What is the biggest challenge in your job?

Tate said her biggest challenge is "letting people know we are non-credit continuing and professional education and you don't have to be enrolled in SMSU to take one of our classes."

What trends do you see now and anticipate seeing in your field?

Tate sees training as a need that will continue to grow. "Technology is always going to improve and people will always need to learn how to make it work more effectively," she said. In leaner economic times, she added, "we see a real shift to retraining for better jobs."

What's the best part of your job?

"It is all about unlocking the potential," Tate said. "I know our instructors would agree that seeing the light bulb' go off is one of the best parts of computer training. Computers can be frustrating, but we count it a real joy to see a participant learn a function that will simplify they way they do their job."

Can you tell us something about your personal life and family?

Tate and her husband Jeff live in Ozark and have a 5-year-old daughter, Jessica. "Jeff is the drummer for the Baldknobber show in Branson," she said. "He started playing for the show in 1985. ... The Baldknobbers are a great group of people I truly consider my second family."

How do you like to spend your leisure time?

The Tates are actively involved in their church, Ridgecrest Baptist. "I serve on the Crisis Response Team and act as coordinator for the monthly newsletter," Tate said. "I mostly enjoy spending precious time with my family. We love to watch movies, play games and travel."

by Frank Shipe