Faith Burns And Purple Socks
Duke alum and employee remembers advice from mother about standing out from a crowd
Name: Faith Burns
Position: Administrative intern in the School of Nursing Office of Global and Community Health Initiatives
Years at Duke: 2
What I do at Duke is: I assist Dorothy Powell, associate dean for Office of Global and Community Health Initiatives, with writing and research related to an initiative she's working on to improve elder care in the Caribbean region. I also help the office with daily activities and events and also social media sites.
If I had $5 million, I would: I would first and foremost pay off a few bills then I'd spoil my family members. I'd also like to start a scholarship fund for an eastern North Carolina student because I got a scholarship like that that allowed me to come to Duke, so I'd love to return the favor. I would travel, and if I had anything left over, I'd buy an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish because I'd love to have the same car as James Bond.
My first ever job was: I was a hostess at an Applebee's my junior year of high school. It was fun because I got to see my friends and make a little money at same time.
My dream job is: I would love to have my own show on the Travel Channel. Getting paid to go to new places, try new foods and meet new people would be perfect.
The best advice I ever received was: To be a purple sock. As I was getting ready to enter sixth grade, my mom used a basket of laundry as an object lesson on how to be successful in a new school. She was folding a basket of socks as she and I were talking. Most of the socks in the basket were the typical, generic every day socks. However, amongst the pile was a pair of my bright purple toe socks. To explain her point, she pulled out the bright purple socks and instructed me to "be a purple sock." She was telling me to be different and stand out from the crowd in everything I did.
What I love about Duke is: I love everything about this place, from my four years as an undergrad to my job now. I love everything from the Chapel bells ringing every day at 5 to working with awesome professors and going to Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke feels like home.
When I'm not at work, I like to: Run, going out to eat and spending time with my puppy, Todd. He's a beagle-terrier mix.
If I could have one superpower, it would be: Telepathy. I'd like to be able to manipulate things with my mind and speak to people without using words.
The skills I bring to my work are: I primarily do writing and research, so my love of writing is a big help. I'm also enthusiastic about what I do. I'm willing to accept new challenges and tasks and run with them.
Faith Burns was nominated as a Blue Devil of the Week by a
Duke colleague. Do you have someone special in mind for Blue Devil of
the Week? Nominate your colleague.