Mary Wilder, who works in the new business area on the Vermont campus, is retiring next week. She has been at National Life for 43 years. Before we let her go, we wanted to get her perspective on her time here. So we asked her to answer 10 Questions.
- What brought you to National Life? A program in which National Life offered employment to top business students at area high schools. Once I started, I enjoyed working for the company, the work and all of the great people.
- Can you describe what your first day at National Life was like 43 years ago? Very scary as a new high school graduate. The entire third floor was open with great big desks for everyone and at that time people were allowed to smoke at their desks. I was not warned that there was a morning coffee cart that came around every morning and about jumped out of my chair when I heard someone yell “good morning”.
- What advice do you have for young people starting at National Life who envision a long career here as you have had? Embrace change and be open to learning new things.
- What is your fondest memory of your time at National Life? The morning coffee carts with the warm good morning greeting from our coffee cart lady, Alice. By your second day she knew just how you liked your morning coffee.
- What is the single greatest change that you’ve seen at National Life? Individual computers for all.
- What is your favorite activity outside work? Camping
- What are the first three things you plan to do when you retire? Spending more time with my family, do some scrapbooking with my sister and enjoying the holidays.
- What are your hobbies and passions and how will you pursue them now that you don’t have to come to the office every day? Scrapbooking, tole painting, travelling, reading and leisurely walks.
- What’s the best part of your day? Seeing the beauty in the evening sunsets.
- What would surprise your coworkers to know about you? I love to play bingo.