 |
| News > Education helps Laughlin woman |
|
|
| |
| Photos | |
.jpg) |
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – Rosemary Capozziello, 47th Force Support Squadron Civilian Personnel officer, poses for a picture here March 7. Capozziello has worked at keeping the civilian workforce on Laughlin happy for the past 35 years and credits her success to education. (U.S. Air Force photo)
|
Download HiRes
|
|
|
|
Education helps Laughlin woman
Posted 3/8/2012 Updated 3/8/2012
Email story
Print story
by Senior Airman Scott Saldukas and Airman 1st Class Nathan L. Maysonet
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
3/8/2012 - LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Far from the glamour and glittering lights of the New York fashion scene, once aspiring fine arts major, Rosemary Capozziello never thought she would be in charge of keeping people happy at the civilian personnel office here.
A student at Trinity University in San Antonio, who had dreams of becoming a commercial artist in New York City, worked her way through college using grants, loans and working three part time jobs to earn the education that would help her succeed in life.
"In high school I had always loved the art career field," she said. "I never thought I'd be working on Laughlin at the personnel office."
A year shy of graduating from Trinity, Capozziello returned to Del Rio for the summer when a neighbor mentioned there were job opportunities on base. In need of money for school, the then college junior leapt at the chance to work on base. Little did she know that her decision would change her life.
"They lined us all up in the ballroom at the Fiesta Center and supervisors would come and take their pick," Capozziello said. "It wasn't like it is today. I was fortunate to be picked by someone at the personnel office."
After going back to San Antonio to finish her senior year of school, Capozziello returned to her home town and applied for a permanent position in the office after graduation.
"It took a while after I applied here to get on, but I finally did as a temp and it pointed me in this direction," she said.
Now, 35 years later, the once temporary position has become a way of life for the Del Rio native and civilian personnel officer.
"People think that I got stuck in Del Rio, but I actually opted to get stuck in Del Rio. I love what I do here," she said.
She explained how even though she didn't end up in the big apple setting fashion trends, the opportunity and career she earned here at Laughlin never would have been possible without her education and mentors she had along the way.
"I have worked with some great leaders who took me under their wing and showed me how they were able to deal with different situations," she said.
One of those leaders and most influential mentor was Dora Alcala.
"She had a great opportunity when she came to our office as a summer hire," Alcala said. "I remember she was one the brightest, motivated and hard working people. She was always trying to learn. She didn't just do what she needed to she always strived to do more."
Capozziello noted that she observed Alcala a lot when she first started in the office.
"My mentors were and needed to be very strong women. Back then, there were very few women in the higher ranks. That's why my education was so important to help me be prepared," she said.
The enthusiastic personnelist mentioned how when she came into the career field, she never aspired to earn the title of personnel officer because of the headaches they had. But she always happened to be in the right place at the right time.
"I love my job, there is never a boring moment and I'm grateful for where I am today.
There is a lot of stress but it is extremely rewarding," Capozziello said.
While success in her life was due largely to her education, Capozziello and her husband passed on the importance of how significant education is to their daughters.
"While our daughters were growing up, we knew they would go to college," Capozziello said. "It wasn't a question of if they were going to go, but the question was where they will go."
After raising two successful daughters who graduated from the University of Texas and have careers in Austin, Texas, the humble Capozziello is content with what she has accomplished at Laughlin.
"It is hard at times to see the big picture from my office," she said. "But I know that if we get complacent, it will delay people from coming on board and that in turn delays Laughlin's mission."
After 35 years of service with the Air Force, the big city commercial artist at heart is set to hang her hat and retire in January.
"I always had an excuse not to leave Laughlin. First children, parents and then my husband but I don't really have anything holding me back," said Capozziello. "I like it here at Laughlin and feel very fortune being here. I love my job and it has been very rewarding. Now I have 10 months to figure out what I am going to do when I retire."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg){kind=link}