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The Lasting Impact of Parents

Staff and faculty reflect on how parents shape their career

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Nicole Scott, 42, business manager in the Department of Statistical Science, poses with her parents Rayford and Clara Allen in an old photograph. Photo courtesy of Nicole Scott.

Growing up, Nicole Scott learned a lot about work ethic from her parents, who rarely took days off from their jobs with Duke’s Facilities Management Department and the Duke Credit Union.

Scott’s mom, Clara, who worked at the Credit Union, was regularly recognized outside of work at places like Northgate Mall because she was friendly with Credit Union customers. Her dad, Rayford, wasn’t just counted on at Facilities as a steamfitter. He arrived on campus an hour early so he could make coffee for coworkers and greet them each morning.

“Children learn by example,” said Scott, who followed in her parents’ footsteps and started at Duke 18 years ago. “When you see parents who enjoy their work and the people they work with, it creates positive images of what a career can be.”

 Scott, who is the business manager in the Department of Statistical Science, learned skills from her parents like customer service and dedication to others, which help her career. “They taught me that when you have a job, people are depending on you, and it’s important to take that seriously in order to do all you can to assist them,” said Scott, 42.

Studies by researchers at universities across the country indicate that parent attitudes and involvement have a direct impact on career choices of their children. From hands-on approaches to teaching skills or imparting lessons of work ethic, parents offer guidance and advice that lead to professional development.

“By providing children with opportunities to experience and explore lots of different things to find what their passion is, parents can be a huge asset,” said Kristen Stephens, associate professor of the practice in the Program in Education. “Every parent wants their child to find happiness and a sense of fulfillment, which comes through a career or job opportunity.”

As families celebrate Parents’ Day on July 24, Working@Duke asked employees how their parents play a role in their career. 

Adam Tomasiello, 25, admissions officer, Undergraduate AdmissionsParents: Jack and Joan Tomasiello

“A really pivotal moment with my parents was during my first-year orientation as a Duke student. The last thing they said to me before heading back to Connecticut was ‘to wake up every day and to take advantage of the many opportunities ahead of you, to say yes to them, to jump in and to build a meaningful relationship with every member of the Duke community.’ Even today, it’s really helpful in guiding me in my career. I meet so many different students and parents, it’s important to be open-minded and value each person as an individual with their own story. Being able to listen and communicate with someone helps me understand them and do my job better.”

 

Seun Bello Olámosù, 39, associate director for intercultural development & outreach, International House Parents: Nathaniel and Beatrice Adeyemi Bello

“My dad was a high school administrator, athletic coach and teacher throughout his career in Nigeria. My mom was also an educator. Living on campus meant that our house was always packed full of students and all my childhood memories are embedded on diverse campus activities around learning, mentoring, coaching and nurturing. When I was admitted into a program for guidance counseling, many classmates were getting into law or engineering. But my dad sat me down and said to stop comparing myself to others because guidance counseling is such a noble profession. My parents championed my dreams, which are now to interact with students and mentor them.”

Emily Grass, 25, research technician, Duke Molecular Physiology InstituteMother: Sue Grass 

“When I was younger – fourth or fifth grade – and we’d have days off of school, my mom would let me come into work with her and watch what she was doing. She’d set me up in a lab with pipettes and empty tubes, and I’d play with different colors of water. I thought it was really fun that I could mimic what she was doing in microbiology research. When my mom talked about her work, she was always very passionate about what she was doing. She was making a difference in people’s lives. I think that passion was infectious. Her success and strength of character has impacted both my sister and I so much that we too pursued research careers here at Duke.”

Kanisha Madison, 30, information center specialist, Human Resources Information CenterMother: Faye Madison

“My mother wanted me to finish college because she didn’t. Even when I was 5, she’d take me to the library to learn about options. We lived up the street from North Carolina Central University, and she’d walk with me there to see the campus. It made me want to be a college student one day, to live in a dorm and get a degree. I knew at an early age that if you don’t get a good education you wouldn’t be able to find a good career. When I graduated from Central in 2011, she said she always knew I could do it. It was important to have that push in my life.”

Nick Hudak, 35, assistant professor, Department of Community & Family MedicineParents: Mary Tucciarone and Charles Hudak

“My parents always made it a priority to ensure I had access to high quality education, which put me on the path to where I am now. Many of the extracurricular activities at my high school were geared toward community service and working with underserved and homeless populations in the Cleveland area. These experiences really motivated me to pursue a career in health care. My parents not only philosophically supported my involvement in these types of activities, but also demonstrated their support through simple actions like dropping me off and picking me up at events as well as talking with me about the experiences. Early involvement in community service helped me recognize the connection between right action and positive outcomes for others.”