Get to Know: Senior Project Manager, Monica Langin
What’s your favorite thing about working at Visionary?
The people are my favorite thing about working at Visionary. We have some of the most creative, interesting, and skilled individuals on our team. I am honored to be part of this group!
What have you learned while working at Visionary?
I could write a book about what I have learned while at Visionary. The most useful thing I have learned is that although providing a solution is key to keeping customers happy, if you do it at the cost of your own or your team’s sanity you have been unsuccessful.
What was your worst summer job?
I was a line worker at a veterinary supply company in Omaha, NE. It paid fairly well, though, so I stuck with it for summers and holiday breaks in college. I did everything from loading pallets with product coming off the line and moving pallets to the warehouse, to bottling animal vitamins and other products.
Who is the most famous person you have met?
Retired General Tommy Franks. It was at an eLearning conference in Florida. Immediately following his presentation, which was one of the best presentations I have ever listened to, I walked up to him to introduce myself. Unfortunately, the chat didn’t last long because he was whisked away to his limo by his security personnel. I must have looked sketchy.
Who is your role model, and why?
My mom. She had five children, worked full-time, and still had time to experience the joy of being a parent. She is immensely independent, and raised her children to be just as independent. She continues living independently, and enjoys taking and teaching tai chi classes. She is on the board at her senior community center, and mentors ELL students by reading with them and attending social events with them.
What’s the best decision you’ve ever made in life?
Moving away from family and friends, to experience life on my own. I learned so much about myself, and about people and places in this country that I may have never visited had I not left. I also would not have appreciated all the great things we have here in Des Moines, Iowa.
Who do you look up to and why?
My dad. He was born into a medium-sized family with a father who had been to college and a mother who worked in the theatre as a pianist for the silent films. At age five, his father passed away. The entire family had to begin contributing money to keep from losing their house. My father, at age five, started his first job.
