Christine Bitner, Prospect Research Analyst, University of Dayton

What's the best career advice you've ever received?

Build good bridges; don't burn them. Every person you meet could potentially be the key to a new opportunity. You never know how that interaction may fit into your future, both personally and professionally.

What could you give a 45-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?

Genealogy research. I am absolutely obsessed. I even worked for our local history library for a few years as a young woman—nothing like getting paid for your hobby.

When/where was your first Apra/OPRN conference?

I attended my first in-person conference last year, OPRN, at the Columbus Zoo. 

Where's the next place on your travel bucket list and why?

I would love to go to Niagara Falls, both the US and Canada side. I am utterly obsessed with oceans and waterfalls. It's not just the beauty that attracts me; maybe it's the soothing sounds—the rhythm of it. There is also something about the energy and possibly the danger of them and how they are completely out of our control that both scares me and calms me down at the same time.

What is your favorite season?

Summer is definitely my favorite season. The days are longer, and there are so many more things to do socially in the summer, like fairs, festivals, and BBQs. Also, I love gardening. Whether it is indoors or out, flowers or food, it keeps me "grounded", LOL. Gardening is like a tranquil retreat for me. The repetition and solitude are very meditative. Watching things grow and produce and then preserving that food to share with family and friends is a tremendous source of pride for me.