Culbertson loves helping people
TOM PINNEY/DAILY FORUM
Library assistant Ashley Culbertson gives a student a study room key. Culbertson is a junior at Northwest who has been working at the library since last year.
Ashley Culbertson has a very simple pleasure in life — helping people.
After graduating from Lakeland High School in Deepwater, Missouri in 2015, Culbertson enrolled at Northwest Missouri State University to pursue a degree in Emergency Disaster Management.
She did so for two reasons.
“I have seen firsthand the effects of tornadoes and house fires, and so I wanted to do something that would help me mitigate those effects,” Culbertson said. “I also wanted to do it because I just genuinely love helping people.
“I would like to transition my degree into international humanitarian work, hopefully in South America. Ideally, I would work in Argentina or Chile, because they have been heavily affected by earthquakes.”
Helping people is also why she got a job working as a library assistant at B.D. Owens Library on the Northwest campus.
“I have fun helping students get accustomed to college life,” Culbertson said. “It’s great to help them find the delicate balance between their homework and having a social life.”
At the library, Culbertson’s duties involve helping people at the front desk, assisting with checking books in and out of the library, and occasionally, putting books back on the shelves. Culbertson frequently works the late shift, where her job requirements also involve cleaning up the first floor of the library and Novel Grounds, where Starbucks is served.
Culbertson is also on track to graduate in three years instead of four. She said working at the library has helped her study habits more often than not.
“At the library, during the day, you work one hour at a time when you can,” Culbertson said. “They schedule us when we’re free in one-hour blocks so that we can dedicate time to classwork and studying.
“It’s also very easy to balance because I have a big planner, so I schedule out my days and give myself time to work on homework and study when I’m not at work.”
A typical day for Culbertson usually begins with a one-hour shift at the library, followed by a few classes depending on the day. After that, Culbertson returns to the library for another one-hour shift, with another class or two after that.
Once she’s finished with classes for the day, she takes time in the evening to relax and finish up some work before returning to the library at 9 p.m. for the closing shift, which lasts until midnight.
No matter how laborious the job gets, Culbertson said she still loves working at the library because it’s one of her favorite places to be.
“I actually love to read, so working in a library is a lot of fun,” Culbertson said. “I also serve as an officer in the EDM (Emergency and Disaster Management) club, so I keep myself pretty busy.”
Culbertson said her best piece of advice would be to keep an open line of communication with co-workers and bosses.
“Talk to your supervisor and see what exactly it is that they expect from you,” Culbertson said. “Never struggle in silence.
“When it comes to balancing work and school, remember that you are a student first. A lot of times, supervisors will be amenable to working with your schedule to make sure you complete your education.”
Editor’s Note
This story is part of a weekly series highlighting “Everyday Heroes.” In this weekly segment, the Daily Forum takes a look at people who work tirelessly to make Maryville a great place to live. If you have a suggestion for someone who you feel should be featured, please contact us via email at [email protected] or call the Forum at 660-562- 2424.