Public Relations Officer, Bank of New Hampshire
Tiffany Baert ’09 earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Plymouth State University in 2009. Following graduation, she began her career in the marketing department at Bank of New Hampshire where she currently serves as Public Relations Officer. In this role, Tiffany works with NH nonprofit organizations to identify their needs and aligns them with the giving policy of the bank, both through donations and sponsorship opportunities. These donations and sponsorships average $1 Million annually, and it is Tiffany’s job to tell the story of each partnership and the great work being done as a result. In her spare time, Tiffany volunteers as a Mentor for the Circle Program, a member of the Central NH Chamber of Commerce’s Marketing and Membership committee and is also a member of Plymouth Regional High School’s Marketing Advisory Committee.
You’ve experienced significant success in a short amount of time in your career at Bank of NH. How has your career risen so quickly?
Success is measured in many ways. While I feel I have been successful in many aspect of my life, there is always more to achieve. I feel that my career has progressed quickly as a result of determination, having the right career for my personality, and by surrounding myself with the right people.
I have always been determined in life which has been a strong attribute to my success. I tend to set small, fast-paced goals along the path to a much larger goal. Once completed, it is time for something new. Always stay busy, never be bored and don’t be afraid of change. Change is inevitable and sometimes hard,but your biggest strength is in learning to adjust.
At an early age, I became an entrepreneur, running a lemonade business at the local fairs and festivals, which provided me with the skills to do many things but most importantly made me realize what components of a business I loved to do. Every job has certain tasks you prefer to prioritize over others but identifying what it is you like most and ensuring that is the majority of your daily job, you will enjoy your work and the challenges you encounter. You should always look forward to going to work each day and I do.
Are there any “keys” to your success?
Yes, I feel there have been many components to my success including hard work, focus, communication and dedication.
Hard work – You should always do your best and exceed expectations upon every opportunity.
Focus – You always need to have a goal in mind and stick to it.
Communication – Anticipate what will be asked, be thorough and responsive.
Dedication – Be committed and loyal to yourself, your job and your peers.
I have been fortunate to have a boss who recognizes, appreciates and rewards all of these “keys.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part is working with people, co-workers and the community. It is rewarding to assist others, and I am grateful to be assisted. We learn from each other every day.
What has it been like to work with PSU as a professional?
In my role as Public Relations Officer for Bank of New Hampshire I have been fortunate to work with Plymouth State University on many levels. It gives me great pride to partner with them to further the expansion of the University and programming in a giving capacity and to benefit from their charitable efforts to the many civic and nonprofit organizations within the Plymouth community.
How did your experiences at PSU help you become successful in your career?
I would consider myself a nontraditional student due to transferring schools three times in four years. This in itself was a huge learning experience although I do not recommend it. I transferred to Plymouth State University for the beginning of my Junior Year. The transfer to PSU also brought me “home,” which I realize now was where I belonged all along. As a senior in high school and myself as the sole source of financing for my education, I decided against all advisement to stay local and moved to Charlotte, NC where I would know very few people and pay out-of-state tuition. That lasted one semester and I moved to Providence, RI where it was a reasonable distance from home. Although this was less than a three hour drive home, the private school I decided to attend was more than I could manage to pay on my own and it still didn’t feel like the right fit for me.
Finally I decided to apply to Plymouth State, was accepted, moved home and loved every bit of my last two years earning my Bachelor’s degree. Going to Plymouth State not only taught me many valuable life lessons but attending classes that exposed me to real-life application of my major was eye opening and provided affirmation that the major I had selected was the right fit for me. While working to appropriately align my transfer credits I built a relationship with an advisor that became a source of guidance for my education and my future. They provided me with the tools I needed to succeed. I always felt like they were rooting for me as a student and as I reconnect on a professional level realize that it never stops. As an alumni they are proud to see and hear about all students that followed their dreams and are successful in various ways.
What does PSU mean to you?
Plymouth state is not just an education to me but is a place that I look at as a resource for the community.
Tags: alumni Bank of New Hampshire business Class of 2009 Tiffany Baert '09