Beth Abbott
Meet Beth, a support specialist who travels to extension offices in counties across Ohio. She was originally interested in the medical field (ideally for pets), but allergies and her love of computers altered her career plans. Now she enjoys the people she works with at Ohio State and throughout the state. Outside of her mobile office, this mother of two is also an advocate for families with special needs children. If she’s not at one of our county offices, you might find her at a local county fair, enjoying funnel cakes, fries and tractor pulling.
Q: What is your role at the university? As a Desktop and Education Support Specialist, I support 17 Ohio State Extension Offices across Northeast Ohio.
Q: How long have you worked at Ohio State? October will be 15 years
Q: What are you currently working on? We are working to switch all our 88 county offices to OCIO Services including new computer systems. A typical day can include three office visits across the state. Currently I put around 30k miles a year on my state vehicle.
Q: What do you like best about your job? People and my coworkers. I visit different sites pretty much every day, so I would call my vehicle my office. :)
Q: Did you always know this is what you wanted to do as a career? Not at first. I was in the medical field when I started college but soon realized computers were my passion. My childhood dream job would have been a veterinarian. I loved animals, but soon found out I had allergies and had to move into a different line of work.
Q: What was your very first job? I worked part time during my college years at Hills in the shoe department.
Q: Where did you go to college? Stark State College in North Canton, Ohio
Q: Where are you from originally? Originally, I lived in Goodyear Heights, close to Chapel Hill Mall in Akron, Ohio.
Q: What is your favorite place to visit? Gatlinburg during the fall—the leaves and area are gorgeous!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Paris to see the Disney Park and Eiffel Tower
Q: Can you tell us about your family? My Husband (Mike) works in Aultman Hospital and has been there 15 years. We have two kids, Tanya (15) and Adam (17). Both are in high school. Tanya attends the Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism and Adam is a junior in Green High School (Summit County). He is working on courses for college for his senior year. My husband and I have been together a total of 32 years we will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in July!
Q. What kinds of things are you passionate about outside of work? My passion is to work with children that have special needs. My daughter (Tanya) has moderate to severe autism, and I am a parent advocate to most families that are not sure how to get assistance through the county and school systems.
Q: What is something most people might be surprised to know about you? Tractor pulling is one of my favorite things to watch and do! The best part is the county fairs where I can eat those amazing funnel cakes and fair fries!
Q: Favorite place to eat in Columbus? City Barbeque—the chocolate cake is the best. Well, anything chocolate is great!
Q: Best concert you’ve ever been to? Bon Jovi. I have seen him three times and he gets better and better!
Q: Favorite quote? “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” - Dr Seuss
Q: It’s 9 p.m. on a Saturday. What are you doing? Hanging out with my family at home, usually watching some type of sports program.
Q: Give three adjectives that best describe yourself. Friendly, helpful, reliable