From her office in small-town Coleraine on Minnesota’s Iron Range, Robin Oberton feels like she touches the world. Her exposure to foreign cultures, customs and foods is something she greatly enjoys about her job at NRRI.
“I work with researchers who hail from different parts of the world, and I’ve learned greetings in Japanese, Turkish, Greek, Russian and Portuguese,” said Oberton, NRRI’s Coleraine Minerals Lab Executive Administrative Specialist. “We also receive visitors from far-flung places who speak Spanish, German, French, and numerous other languages. There is never a dull moment!”
Oberton has worn many hats at the busy Coleraine Lab over her 12 years there. After many years at the front desk, she is now charged with purchasing, processing procurement card transactions, proof-reading technical reports, and other administrative duties. She has also helped with shipping/receiving, information technology and human resources/benefits.
Like many in the University system, Oberton’s goal is to become comfortable using the University’s new accounting system. But what she really wants is to get 25 hours out of a 24 hour day!
Her special skills include memorizing a million phone numbers, account numbers, and zip codes to save the time of looking them up. “And I like being able to greet visiting international researchers in their native languages,” she said.
Oberton lives with Joe, her husband of 20 years. They have one adult daughter, Veronica. Their hobby is dog sledding and they have over 30 dogs (who all live outside, except one). Oberton competed in her first dog sled race in January 2008.
Is passionate about… correct spelling and grammar... and CHOCOLATE.
Is totally bored with… not much. I find life and work very interesting and challenging. There is way too much going on to ever be bored!
Would change the world by… being on time for things. That would be a BIG change!