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RCC leads to half-century career

More than five decades ago, Janet Silvers enjoyed her business classes in high school.

“I could actually type a little over 100 words a minute,” she said. “At that time, Rockingham Community College had a great program in secretarial science.”

Silvers enrolled at RCC in fall 1972 for the two-year program. She remembers the campus being smaller than it is now, and remembers the student center.

“It was a very comfortable place to be. There were three of us that carpooled from our area,” said the lifelong Madison resident. “And I met some people at RCC and we’re still friends. It was a very welcoming place, and the instructors were very helpful. It was a good experience.”

After graduating from RCC in 1974, she landed a temporary job.

“A friend of mine worked in human resources at Belews Creek Steam Station with Duke Energy, and she called me and said there is an opening in the engineering department,” she said.

The job lasted about 18 months, and Silvers said she really enjoyed it.

“I was laid off at the end of April 1976, and got married the first of May,” she said. Longtime supporters of the college, her husband Micky currently serves on the RCC Foundation Board of Directors.

Silvers thought about attending UNC-Greensboro to pursue elementary education, but because she had liked her RCC business classes so much, she started looking for a job in that field.

In September 1976, she landed a permanent job with Duke Energy, at its Greensboro business office.

“I’ve been working with Duke for 51 years,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed working with this company, it’s been good to me; but it all started with RCC and my office skills.”

Silvers has worked in various areas of the company, mostly in support roles.

“That’s what I like to do, behind-the-scenes and office management, to help and support people so they can get out there and do bigger and better things. I’ve been in public relations, and work with the Governmental and Community Relations Team, which has enabled me to be out in the community and network,” she said.

“It’s been really good for me. If I didn’t enjoy it, it wouldn’t be worth these many years. I’ve been very pleased,” Silvers added.

Looking back, she said there’s nothing that she would have changed. But she does have advice for anyone on the fence about attending RCC.

“It’s a wonderful place to go and learn and will prepare them for whatever field they want to go into. It’s amazing what’s offered here. I would say, ‘come here and try it, you’ll like it. It’s a really worthy place to be. It certainly prompted me to take the route that I did with my career,” she said.

“Rockingham Community College is near and dear to my heart,” she said. “It’s just a gem in our backyard. We’re very fortunate to have this college.”

With retirement at the end of June, Silvers is looking ahead.

“Some people say to have some kind of purpose in mind. This is not the end – this is the beginning for me. I don’t know what else is out there. Maybe I just want to wait and see, and I’ll find my passion. I enjoy helping people and volunteering in the community,” she said. “One of the things on my to-do list after I retire is to take a class or two at RCC,” Silvers said.

~Story and photo by Gerri Hunt, RCC director of Public Information