Jon Rea is a Financial Analyst for the College of Social Work. He has been with the college for two years, worked in higher ed for three years prior to UTCSW, and was employed in private/public accounting before that.
What does your job entail?
My job mostly involves budget management and financial analysis/reporting. No one day is the same. There are days that sound like a perfect symphony and days I feel stuck in an avalanche. The accounting field has become increasingly forward thinking not just historical reporting. This is a good move because financial health not only keeps the doors open but can create more doors and accountants are multi-talented. I enjoy accounting for every dollar and in higher ed every dollar has a purpose. I often feel like Happy Gilmore when he is trying to putt and I am trying to get the money in the right bucket, “Why don’t you just go home? That’s your home.” There are always ways to improve and every year there are things that were hard that are now easy and new challenges and goals. I always aim to compile and present data that informs and spurs action which is accomplished by considering other’s perspectives. Being close to the money is also a one-way ticket to interacting with many different people at every level, both inside/outside the college, which I try to handle with integrity, knowledge, and humor.
What is your favorite part of the job and/or favorite part of UT?
First and foremost, I work with some amazing people who I admire both professionally and personally. Whether it has been in the classroom or at work, I know I am at my best if there is some laughter alongside exchanging of ideas and working with a sense of urgency. One of the best parts of UT is the fun volunteer spirit atmosphere. The way we work, the events we host, the UT gear we wear and the traditions we have gets back to the students and creates a fun, positive and motivating environment that benefits their education and experience at UT. Higher education is one of the best places on this earth and I am humbled to be in the position I am and never take it for granted. I owe so much to teachers, my parents, and so many more at every level of my education. I have looked into thousands of eyes and the most trusting, supportive, and inspiring have been in education. Teachers have the power to see something in a person that they might not yet see.
What do you like best about living and working in the Knoxville area?
It is like home away from home, relatively the same size, college sports, and wearing orange is just a day in the life like Syracuse, NY, but with less snow. I somehow run into more people that I know here but I knew more people in Syracuse. Knoxville AKA “Dog City” also pulls more than its weight in road/trail races and outdoor activities. I actually got used to the warm summer months and was sad to see them go. My previous slogan for Knoxville, “It’s not that bad” needs to be upgraded to, “It’s good.” I will call the mayor about the billboard.
What is an interesting fact about yourself?
I invented the Smokey Challenge as one of my training runs, start/finish at Torchbearer and run to every smokey statute in chronological order just stay on pavement/sidewalk and take whatever route to accomplish it in the fastest time possible. Smokey XI really changed the race by being placed at Vet Med. I hope Smokey XI lives his best floppy-eared winning life but thinking ahead I bet Smokey XII will be at Cherokee Farm. Also, it’s best to do this when class is not in session, or it becomes like frogger out there.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Quote from my favorite movie: “Do not try and bend the spoon, that’s impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth…there is no spoon. Then you’ll see that is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.” – The Matrix. I really should watch movies that came out later than the 90s. I bet things have changed.