Associate Spotlight – Jenny Smith
What inspired you to pursue your current career path? A former colleague from my previous workplace inspired me to apply at the bank. She saw something in me that I failed to see in myself at the time and I am thankful every day for that. Banking was never part of my plan, but I am a true believer that God places us right where we need to be, when we need to be there, and I have learned to embrace that! The move from deposit operations to IT has been the best decision yet in this career path. I love to know how things work, solve problems, and help people. What more could you ask for in IT?! I strive every day to learn more, become better, and keep an open mind. You never know what’s ahead.
What motivates you to achieve your goals at work? Challenge! Although it’s nice to get the easy ones from time to time, I love a good challenge. I am a problem-solver at heart. I try my best to use forward thinking, foresee the issues that may arise, and devise a solution before it becomes a problem. I like to approach a situation with a solution, not a complaint. When faced with a challenge, you dig deeper, try harder, learn more, and come out stronger on the other side. The achievements that are hardest to reach hold the biggest rewards.
Can you share a memorable project you worked on and its impact? I would have to say that the most memorable project I’ve been part of here at the bank is when we converted from Fiserv to Jack Henry. I led the deposits team. It was a HUGE challenge, but we all came out on the other side stronger and more knowledgeable. There was an obvious impact on our staff and our customers. Our staff put in countless hours to bring our customers a better experience. Being new to the banking industry, it was an eye-opening experience to learn all the little details that go into building the core and all the complex functions.
What strategies do you use to maintain productivity during busy periods? I am a list maker. I write down everything! I find it really helpful when I’m consistently interrupted or other, more pressing issues arise. I can quickly adapt, go a different direction, and then refer back to where I was and what I was doing. It allows me to pick right up where I left off.
How do you unwind after a long day at work? I love nothing more than just simply being home after a long day at work. I have two children and a husband that are my whole world. We have a little hobby farm with lots of critters including two labs that I absolutely adore. I love being able to just wander around the yard, the pasture, and the garden soaking up all the fresh air I can.
What hobbies or interests do you pursue outside of work? Nature is my jam! It’s where I rest and recharge. I love to fish. I fish a lot, both soft and hard water. Our whole family fishes a local bass club. Hunting is right up there at the top as well. All four of us archery hunt for deer every chance we get. Turkey hunting in the spring is another passion of mine. I love horseback riding, camping (summer and winter), kayaking, watching my kids play sports, walks, and pretty much any activity that can be done outside.