- Email:
- arasdall@iu.edu
- Campus:
- IU Bloomington
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to be a bursar! (Just kidding!) As a young girl, I wanted to be a sports photojournalist, as I was for my high school yearbook! I loved photography and sports so mixing those was the dream. I studied that for a year but decided I wanted a more lucrative profession. I switched majors a couple of times and finished with a BS in Tourism, Conventions & Event Management.
How did you end up in the role you are currently in?
My senior year of college I took a job in the IUPUI Bursar office. I figured I know money and customer service from previous part-time employment. I can handle this. I finished my degree at IUPUI and worked my way up in the bursar office. I took a short two-year role in UITS and worked on the student information team which increased my technical skillset. When the opportunity presented itself, I knew I couldn't pass up the job, and I found my way back to the bursar team. I've been back for the last six years and enjoy every minute of it.
What characteristic do you admire in other women in tech and why?
I like women that are strong and courageous but possess kindness. I believe women who are easy to work with, who come across as confident and set great examples for others, make you want to be better yourself. The tech field has few women. Strong women are vital because you must shatter the glass ceilings of misogynistic stereotypes.
In moments of self-doubt/adversity how do you build yourself back up?
I am my worst critic. I am admittedly harder on myself than I need to be. I try to let myself have that moment of self-doubt, then the cheerleader in me comes out and yells… You know you are a boss. You know you can achieve great things. I don’t let one mistake define who I am. I have a lot to offer and hold a lot of good qualities. One incident is not a permanent stamp on my reputation.
What does the world needs more of?
Love and open-mindedness to other people's way of doing things. Accepting people for who they are is essential.
What does the world needs less of?
Judgement. We are too quick to judge others There is so much bad information out there that clouds that judgement.
Is there a woman, past or present, who you admire or look up to?
Gabrielle Bovenzi - she was the bursar when I was at IUPUI. I looked up to her with admiration because she helped me grow as a person and a professional. Gabrielle encouraged me to get my MBA degree and made me feel confident I could accomplish this while working full-time, and I did. She could be hard to work for because she has very high expectations, but that pushed me to do better, be better and, raise my standards. (Like always having headers and footers on a document!) Her confidence in me helped me take my career to the next level!
What's your go to stressbuster/ something you do to relax?
Listening to music. I love RAP or EDM, anything that gets me pumped up. I dance, feeling the music while listening to my beach playlist. It gets me energized!
What would you tell yourself ten or twenty years ago that you wish you knew then?
Don’t be so hard on yourself. There are a lot of things you think are important, but aren’t. Every day is filled with new opportunities, and you are capable of taking things to a new level.