She Wants to Learn Everything!
When you meet Beth for the first time you just know that she has enormous amounts of energy and great stores of ambition. As an undergraduate student Beth signed up for a plethora of courses, and she says, "must have changed my major four or five times."
Elizabeth (Beth) M. Mortarotti has been a program manager at Agilent Technologies for the past two years. Prior to that she worked for Hewlett Packard for a number of years.
When you meet Beth for the first time you just know that she has enormous amounts of energy and great stores of ambition. As an undergraduate student Beth signed up for a plethora of courses, and she says, "must have changed my major four or five times." She wants to learn everything!
If "professional student" comes to mind, it's an appropriate label in the best sense. College professors are always reminding us that one of the best undergraduate courses is the liberal course in which students explore and experience a wide-variety of classes in many different fields. That was exactly the educational path Beth followed and, as a consequence, she is a voracious reader.
"I like the manual or the textbook approach to learning," says Beth, "then I can visually figure out for myself what the plan or course is all about. I'm a by-the-book type of student."
After she tied up a variety of computer science courses and engineering process courses in her book bag, Beth focused on business and process engineering, a field where she earned her master's degree (Operations Management). But she didn't stop there. Beth is intent on expanding her knowledge by taking courses in San Jose State University's Professional Development Program.
"I'd like to beef up my knowledge in supply-chain management," Beth says, but she also has delved into procurement and operations courses and is no stranger to studies in purchasing and supply.
In case you're wondering where Beth's educational pursuits will end, you won't be surprised that Beth and her husband frequently discuss the philosophic question - "What are you going to do with your life?"
Beth has answers. Her short-term goal is to acquire the Certified Purchasing Manager Certification (C.P.M.) Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (A.P.P.). These, she believes, will help fill a more long-term goal - the ability, flexibility and expertise to span the industry.
In the meantime, Beth feels that her Professional Development courses are providing her with the validation and focus she needs. Recently, Beth was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Institute for Supply Management (Silicon Valley Chapter). She's working on a project where "education is the mantra." How perfect for Beth!