Interview conducted by Joe Dehler

Wickie (plural wickies)

1. (job-specific jargon, dated) Lighthouse-keeper’s assistant, whose responsibilities typically included the tending and trimming of wicks for the light.^[1]

Wickie: Nick Bragdon

What is your job at SMCC and how long have you worked here?

“So, I’m a contracted IT specialist. I started in the beginning of November. So now it’s been about three, four months.”

What brought you to SMCC?

“Well, I worked a little bit in some other school systems before and I enjoyed the work, I enjoyed the environment. So I figured, you know, I had the opportunity- I might as well come here.”

How has working here affected you?

“It’s been nice. I really like everyone I work with. It’s nice to be back at work, be back in here, in Maine. I spent a few years in Boston, so being able to come back up here and live in Maine again, and you know, just be right by the sea, it’s really nice. I like the environment. I like everybody I work with so far.”

What is the best thing about your job, or SMCC?

“I mean, right now it’s probably- I really enjoy just our work environment, everybody I work with, you know. I’ve very rarely had any issues with anyone I’ve had to, you know, spend any time with working, and, you know, I really liked the team that I work with.”

What is the worst thing about your job, or SMCC?

“I mean, ultimately, it’s going to be the commute. I don’t live too far away, but you know, just coming through Portland, it’s just a lot of extra time out of the day. Extra costs having to deal with all that. But so far, it’s been worth it.”

Do you have any messages you want to send to the administration of SMCC as a staff member here?

“Not at the moment. I think I’m still sort of getting my bearings here to a certain extent, because I’ve only been here a few months. So you know, I’m still trying to figure out exactly how everything works. At the moment, you know, things are a little bit in flux too much to have any messages like that.”