Kirsten Kepler: County Clerk Intern
As a recent McMinnville High School graduate, Kirsten Kepler is the youngest intern participating in the McMinnville WORKS program this year. Next year she attends the Oregon Institute of Technology to study Mechanical Engineering Technology. At the Yamhill County Clerk's office she is doing something the office has wanted to complete for a while, converting all of the old films and documents into indexed, digital files. With all
"I feel like no matter what, they will try to help you."
of the files indexed, offices around Yamhill county will be able to more easily find what they are looking for. To Kirsten, the most important component of her role is making sure everything is properly indexed: "I don’t think it matters how many rolls of film I get through, just that I can index the important parts of them. " She wants to make sure people can easily find what they are looking for.
component of her role is making sure everything is properly indexed: "I don’t think it matters how many rolls of film I get through, just that I can index the important parts of them."
Kirsten's co-workers create an atmosphere where it's fun to work. With music playing, the office has started to have miniature dance parties and share baked good. Though mechanical engineering is different than what her task currently entails, Kirsten is eagerly soaking up the experience and the skills she can gain by being a part of this office: "I like it because it’s different from what I want to do but it’s nice to have different experiences from very different places." To Kirsten, the more she informs herself of opportunities and roles, the more confident she will be in the future. Her intended major at Oregon Tech, Mechanical Engineering Technology, will give her the flexibility in career paths after finishing school.
Kirsten's co-workers create an atmosphere where it's fun to work. With music playing, the office has started to have miniature dance parties and share baked good. Though mechanical engineering is different than what her task currently entails, Kirsten is eagerly soaking up the experience and the skills she can gain by being a part of this office: "I like it because it’s different from what I want to do but it’s nice to have different experiences from very different places." To Kirsten, the more she informs herself of opportunities and roles, the more confident she will be in the future. Her intended major at Oregon Tech, Mechanical Engineering Technology, will give her the flexibility in career paths after finishing school.
different experiences from very different places." To Kirsten, the more she informs herself of opportunities and roles, the more confident she will be in the future. Her intended major at Oregon Tech, Mechanical Engineering Technology, will give her the flexibility in career paths after finishing school.
at Oregon Tech, Mechanical Engineering Technology, will give her the flexibility in career paths after finishing school.
Within McMinnville, Kirsten plays a large role in the community. She volunteers with the McMinnvill
in the community. She volunteers with the McMinnville Police Department, her church, and in high school she was a part of the National Honor Society, managing the group's volunteer projects. She enjoys living in McMinnville stating: "There are a lot of people, but it still has a small town feel. I can walk out of my door and see people I know."
Kirsten's bright smile and willingness to learn are contagious. When asked what she wanted people to know about the office she replied: "Even if it’s quite, everyone is super nice. I feel like no matter what, they will try to help you. Just come in and ask a question, we’ll have the answer for you. It’s more than just a brick building."