Adelina Duty, a senior accounting major from Blanchard, has found her place in Bryan County– working for the Choctaw Nation.

She previously worked for the Southeastern Bookstore, but took a chance and decided to accept a job working in the information technology department cooperative of the Choctaw Nation. “I’m really not sure who, but someone recommended me for the job. I went through the formal interview process and got it.”

She had only been at her new job for a few days when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down her workplace. Luckily, she said, the Choctaw Nation paid her throughout the time off. “I came back and I began to see what they do for the community. I have a great work family.”

She credits her job for helping her find a metaphorical home in Durant. “I didn’t know a lot of people since I’m not from the area, and they really made me feel welcome,” she said.

Soon, Duty will begin assisting her director as they reshape the co-op student program, which is open to all students. Together, they will collaborate on writing policies and procedures for the co-op and internship programs for the IT department. These policies would include a possible grace period for students to keep their jobs after graduation.

Duty is a member of the Honors Program and the Cardinal Key National Honor Society. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dogs and watching her sister, Augusta, play for the university’s softball team.

She is set to graduate in May 2021. She is currently still researching her job options with the Choctaw Nation and plans to pursue a master’s degree in business administration while working.

“I’m looking at different departments and I’ve been shadowing people. I’m not looking too far into the future, because I just want to see where it takes me.”