LD Staff Writer
We want you to know more about our wonderful people (the lifeblood of our business), so we’re continuing an Employee Spotlight series to share a more personal side of LongerDays!
We asked a series of questions and decided to share the best answers for all the world to see.
Today’s Employee Spotlight is Lydia Benkert!
1. What is your name?
Lydia Benkert
2. What is your job title?
Virtual Business Specialist
3. How long have you worked for LongerDays?
I started in November of 2017!
4. Hometown:
I was born and raised in Spring Lake, Mi, but currently live in Muskegon.
5. Inhabitants at your residence:
I am currently living with my mom, Booffee (who is a grouchy, old cat), and our newly rescued dog, Frankie!
6. Before working at LongerDays, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
While attending Grand Valley State University, I worked at the theatre department’s costume shop. I helped create costumes for all plays, musicals, and anything in between. I have now made everything from Shakespearean period attire to a wrestling championship belt.
Another cool “job” I had was receiving a U.S. Student Fulbright scholarship to research and live in Ghana, West Africa for 9 months… All expenses were paid for. I worked with a non-profit called Challenging Heights who rescues and rehabilitates children that have been trafficked into the fishing industry.
I created an after school theatre program at their school and wrote a play about child trafficking. It was the most amazing experience of my life. I had such an amazing time that I extended my stay for 2 more months.
7. How would you describe LongerDays in 3 words?
Professional. Innovative. Collaborative.
8. What is one thing you have learned that you didn’t know before working at LongerDays?
I now know keyboard shortcuts for a Mac computer. I rarely even used keyboard shortcuts on my PC except for copy, paste, bold, italics, and underlining. Learning the shortcuts save time, and are so much easier to use than just your mouse.
9. What is one important skill every person at LongerDays should have? Why?
You need to want to learn! There is so much to learn on the job. It makes it fun, but if you aren’t interested in being uncomfortable and learning something new, then you won’t like working at LongerDays.
10. Any work you can show off?
I have written quite a few blog posts during my time here with LongerDays! I also started the Employee Spotlight!
Here are some of my more recent blog posts for LongerDays:
To Figure Out Tasks to Delegate, Create a Not-To-Do List
To Delete or Not to Delete… Facebook That is!
How to Create and Maintain a Social Media Content Calendar
Social Media Tips for Small Businesses
11. What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I am super active in the theatre world! I have been out of it for a couple years since I was in and out of the country. I love directing, but before that I was a very active actor! My best role in high school was a Step-Sister in Cinderella. Since moving back to West Michigan, I am slowly getting back into the theatre game, and can’t wait for the next opportunity.
Also, I got my nose pierced when traveling to London by myself and I got a black star tattoo during my time in Ghana. I have yet to get a tattoo here in the States. One day!
12. What is an ability you wish you had?
I always wanted to be better at singing and playing the guitar. I always had this side dream of being a local coffee house singer.
13. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Definitely on a tropical beach. Ideally, I would have my own place on the beach – but really all that matters is the ocean, some palm trees, and an ice cold drink! That is paradise to me!
14. What was the last really great book you read? Why?
I really enjoyed the book Where’d You Go, Bernadette. I first picked it up because my mom’s name is Bernadette, and it’s about a daughter and her mother named Bernadette…
When I first started reading it, I hated it! I put it down for a long time, and when I picked it back up and restarted… I devoured it! It has an interesting format and some cool insight about going to Antarctica. It was a fun read!
15. What is one of your favorite quotes?
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou.
I have this on a wooden plaque on my desk. It reminds me to just be kind to people, and that I don’t need to always overthink situations… Just BE KIND.
Want to learn more?
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