Coming home again is how Donna Collier describes her return to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Although she now works in a different role, Collier felt a sense of coming home when she returned after eight years in the private sector.
Collier worked in the bursar’s office at UT Knoxville for 12 years beginning in 1990, and in 2002, she was ready for a change. When a new, outside opportunity was presented in the student loan industry, she jumped at the chance.
Collier enjoyed her eight years in the private sector, but the uncertainty of restructuring in her workplace forced her to consider another career path. Unexpectedly, she found an avenue bringing her right back to UT.
Collier now works in the Construction Industry Research and Policy Center as a research specialist. She conducts research sent to the Department of Labor to help determine the wages of construction workers on federal construction projects. Collier admits this line of work is different than her previous positions, but she is enjoying her new job.
“I don’t like to job hop, and I know that’s what people often do today,” Collier said. “I didn’t want to leave before, but it was time to pursue other avenues. It was just time to come back. I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon either.”
