Barton Profile: Courtney Mercado
(Story by Joe Vinduska/Photo by Brandon Steinert)
Courtney Mercado - Customer Service Representative (Ft. Riley Campus)
Hometown:
Concordia, Kan.
How long have you worked for Barton Community College?
Almost two years.
Where were you employed before working for Barton?
I worked at a call center for AT&T.
Why did you choose to work at Barton?
There were actually layoffs at the call center, and I talked to a friend of mine who also worked there that started working at Barton, and she told me about this job and it seemed like a good opportunity.
What is your favorite part about your job?
I really enjoy the people I work with, but it’s also nice to see new faces every day, and it’s really great to be able to help people as well.
What is the most challenging part?
Our job can be difficult, so we try to do everything we can to resolve the situations quickly. I try to go out of my way to get the best resolution as fast as I can.
What advice do you have for someone calling into any customer service rep for any company?
Be kind. It’s not personal. It’s easier for everybody involved to resolve a situation if you stay calm.
How has working in customer service changed the way you conduct yourself when you call in to a customer service rep?
I try to be nice all the time! Even if it’s face to face at a restaurant or something like that. I try to be as nice as I can be because I know how it feels to be on the other end of it.
What’s it like working on the Fort?
I used to be in the military for four years, so I’m used to the way things are done. Most of the soldiers are just like any normal student. With my background, I’ve always been very comfortable here.
Is it hard for you to get around on the Fort? I’ve been there a few times, and I routinely get lost!
I am a very bad driver. I just can’t seem to focus, and getting around on the fort can be a bit confusing because there are a lot of one way streets, but you get used to it after a while.
A lot of people hate their driver’s license photo. You have to show yours every day at the gate. Are you satisfied with it?
You know, it’s really not that bad. It’s kind of one of my better ones actually!
Mine is terrible. I look like a criminal.
What, no smiles?
No. I guess I was grumpy that day!
What would you suggest to someone visiting the area for entertainment?
I would recommend golfing. I play a little bit and am terrible at it, but it’s a good stress reliever. There are quite a few nice ones in the area.
What’s your favorite restaurant in the area?
The Cracker Barrel has really good food.
How do you spend time outside of work?
I spend a lot of time with my five-year-old son, and he’s a handful. I’m also going back to school now too, so between work, school and a five-year-old that’s pretty much all I do.
What is something people might not know about you?
A lot of people don’t know that I like to knit. I really don’t tell anybody!
Yeah, wow… that’s not really a rock star type of hobby.
Yeah, it’s so bad. I feel like I’m getting older and older.
What would you say is your personal motto, or some words you live by?
I really don’t have a motto. I guess I just take things day by day.
That could be your motto then.
There you go!
Did you know that Mercado means “market” in Spanish?
No I did not. I had no idea.
I did because I took Spanish in high school and college.
That was very informative.
You learn something every day.
Yes you do.
