Alumna is Bank Calumet branch manager

Carolyn Seligman, Bank Calumet's Dyer Branch Manager

Accommodating faculty and staff members and a comprehensive course curriculum are what Purdue University Calumet alumna Carolyn Seligman says helped trigger her career trek to manager of Bank Calumet's Dyer Branch.

"At Purdue Calumet, everyone from advisors to professors were always so good about taking time with you when you needed it," Seligman said. "I doubt I would have received so much personal attention if I had gone to another school."

Seligman earned an associate degree in early childhood education at Purdue Calumet in 1987 and a bachelor's degree in developmental psychology in 1994.

"I appreciate that the curriculum is so well rounded that it has given me many options throughout the years as far as careers are concerned," she said.

In 1991, she opened Carolyn's Caring Corner, a licensed day care business, and continued her education by taking evening classes. In 1998, she made a career change and worked at a credit union. Then, she was hired by Bank Calumet in 2001.

"I believe the two areas that helped me the most to achieve success are the early childhood curriculum courses I took, because they taught me to plan and stay focused, and my psychology classes, because they taught me why people do some of the things they do," she said. "If you know why people react to certain situations the way they do, then you can be prepared to assist them."

At one time Seligman thought about dropping out of college, but her then boyfriend and now husband encouraged her to stick with it.

"It took 13 years, but it was worth it," she said. "I'm sure I wouldn't have the job I have today if I didn't have my degree."

Seligman met her husband, Chas Seligman, at Purdue Calumet. Their children also have spent part of their lives growing up on campus, she said.

"In 1984, I had my first of four daughters," she said. "Chas and I were both taking classes and writing for The Chronicle (Purdue Calumet's student newspaper). We set up our school schedules so we could pass Samantha between classes."

According to Seligman, she was five months pregnant with daughter number two, Amanda, when she received her associate degree in 1987. In 1992, while working full time and attending school part time, third daughter, Jessica, was born. In 1996, daughter, Beckey, arrived.

"My degree at Purdue Calumet taught me everything I needed to get where I am today," Seligman said. "I want to be an inspiration to my daughters."