1. Kathy L. Watkins
3250A Nester Road
Meridian, MS 39301
Cell: 601-934-3770
E-Mail: kalouwa111@yahoo.com
Education:
B.S. in Applied Mathematics with Computer Science Minor
MississippiState University, Starkville, MS – December 1989; Graduated Magna Cum Laude;
GPA 3.75/4.00
A.A. General Studies
Meridian Community College, Meridian, MS – May 1987; Graduated with Highest Honors;
GPA 3.82/4.00
Job Objective:
Obtain a position that presents me with challenging tasks where my knowledge-base and organizational abilities may be utilized.
Also, work in a place where there is a need for a variety of technical skills including computer knowledge, organizational
abilities, business intelligence, database program uses, customer service, and communication skills to name a few. I have the
capacity and the ability to perform, yield, or withstand any tasks that is assigned to me. I would like to be given the opportunity to
prove my ability to adapt and performin a challenging industry. Willing to relocate.
Work Experience:
H & R Block; Meridian, MS (Part-time Seasonal- -Each year starting in November through April 15th of following year)
01/2010 – Current Customer Service Professional (CSP)
As a Customer Service Professional for H&R Block for the past 6 consecutive years, I was responsible for keeping the office
running smoothly. The following are just a few of the many tasks I was responsible for including, but not limited to: greeting
clients, identifying and addressing the client's needs, maintaining a pleasant and business -like atmosphere and attitude. Used the
telephone to interact with clients via inbound and outbound calls, provided callers with basic information about services, fees, and
basic tax information. Used computers to schedule and confirm appointments, check-in clients and monitor client flow in the tax
office. Ensured clients are matched with the appropriate Tax Professional in order to address the level of the specific client's tax
situation. Verified and filed tax returns to keep the tax office audit ready. Utilized marketing tools in and outside the office, to
provide excellent customer service and communication skills to promote the cooperation’s products that they offered. Maintained
computer updates and performance. Performed close-out procedures at the end of the day by registering and securing the deposit
for the day.
Gap in Employment Explanation
04/2006 – 12/2009
I was a Senior Consultant Computer Engineer in Huntsville, AL for 16 years, when I decided to put my career on hold in order to
take care of my father when he became ill in late 2005. I moved from Huntsville back to Meridian, MS to assume my family
responsibilities. After the passing of my father, I decided to stay in Meridian and work part-time and further my education on-
line. Now I am currently pursuing a full-time or part-time job in the computer engineering and/or customer service fields.
Choctaw County Board of Education; Butler, AL (Full-time)
01/2006 - 03/2006 Algebra II Substitute Teacher
Excellent knowledge of Algebra II and good teaching and disciplinary skills.
2. Kathy L. Watkins Resume 2 | P a g e
Work Experience (Continued):
Parisians - Huntsville, AL (Part-time)
04/2005 - 10/2005 Part-time Sales Associate
**Worked simultaneously two jobs at, UAI and Parisians, during this time period.
Ensured the customer had a positive, pleasant, and outstanding shopping experience. Responsibilities included, but were not
limited to the following: maintaining outstanding customer service, assisting in the training of peers, generating sales,
merchandising product, and supporting the store management team; provided excellent customer service and communication
skills to aid the customer in meeting their needs.
UAI, Inc.; Huntsville, AL (Full-time)
04/2005 – 10/2005 Technical Writer
Designed, developed, and wrote user guides; as well as, Administrative manuals for UAI Utilities applications. Taught classes
relating to Utility functionality; including Outage Management Systems and Utility Center applications built on top of ESRI’s
GIS system. Supported customers’ after software had been released. Provided excellent customer service and communication
skills to aid the customer in meeting their needs.
Teledyne-Brown Engineering; Huntsville, AL (Full-time)
10/2004 - 12/2004 Systems Analyst III
Performed modeling and simulation of various software applications. Provided excellent customer service and communication
skills to aid the customer in meeting their needs. Convert manual test cases to automated tests by linking automation to the test
case using tools such as UI. Tests application performance and stress using unit tests, Web Performance tests or coded UI tests.
Intergraph Corporation; Huntsville, AL (Full-time)
06/1998 – 10/2004 Senior Software Consultant/Technical Manager
As a member of the Utilities and Communications Verification and Certification test team, my responsibilities included, but were not
limited to the following:
Customer Support (Call Center) and Customer Training
Provided excellent customer service and communication skills to aid the customer in meeting their needs.
Provided excellent customer service and communication skills to aid the customer in meeting their needs.
Verified/Certified software requirements
Created/Updated documentation for server and client setup, Functional Requirement Documents,
Detail Design Documents, Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM), testing, and training plans/procedures.
Configured/upgraded databases, servers, and clients’ workstations
Worked with the customers to ensure their expectations were met
Wrote training material and utilized them to train the customer
Performed Site Acceptance Testing and met milestones leading to the acceptance of a system
Performed trouble-shooting and generated Trouble Reports to record discrepancies in software
Analyzed problem and identified an appropriate course of action
Worked closely with the development team to resolve and prioritize issues
Integrated software with interfaces and following up on Customer Request
Performed demos of software applications for utilities and communication companies
Developed and Presented overviews of the functionality of the software to customers/new employees
Worked in a team environment paying close attention to detail, planning, organization, self-sufficiency, multi-tasking, flexibility,
reliability, time management skills, etc.
Met with other managers to determine resource allocation and status of projects
Managed testers/trainers engaged in product documentation, certification, and customer technical training and support
Evaluated work performance of subordinates
Project Manager for projects including: Writing Statements of Work (SOW), Determining engineering Change Request
(ECRs), budgeting, presentations, assignments, spreadsheets, etc.
Interacted with organizational staff, executives, clients, vendors and visitors on a daily basis.
3. Kathy L. Watkins Resume 3 | P a g e
Work Experience (Continued):
Dillard's - Huntsville, AL (Part-time)
07/2001 - 12/2002 Part-time Sales Associate
**Worked simultaneously two jobs at, Intergraph and Dillard’s, during this time period.
Ensured the customer had a positive, pleasant, and outstanding shopping experience. Responsibilities included, but were not
limited to the following: maintaining outstanding customer service, assisting in the training of peers, generating sales,
merchandising product, and supporting the store management team. Provided excellent customer service and communication
skills to aid the customer in meeting their needs.
Colsa Corporation; Huntsville, AL (Full-time)
06/1996 – 06/1998 Systems Analyst III/System Administrator
Provided systemsupport for multiple hardware systems,to include, major integrated network of computers, large
databases and analysis on systemproblems
Provided excellent customer service and communication skills to aid the customer in meeting their needs.
Worked with systemusers to define problem areas, data availability, report requirements, etc.
Defined systemobjectives and prepared systemdesign specifications to meet user/customer expectations/requirements
Analyzed various ways to derive input data in order to select the most appropriate process
Implemented design specifications for applications and defined input and output file formats
Mentored less experienced employees
Intergraph Corporation; Huntsville, AL (Full-time)
12/1989 – 06/1996 Senior Software Analyst/Technical Lead
The following experience was gathered by working with the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA).
Customer Support (Call Center) and Customer Training
Provided excellent customer service and communication skills to aid the customer in meeting their needs.
Tested and Verified GIS/Mapping interactive graphic applications and database systems
Gained knowledge of DOD documentation; such as; MIL-STD,…,etc.
Performed the scanning of map separates and hardcopy maps and performed database manipulations using SQL
Set-up tested,trained, and supported delivered systems
Designed/Implemented mapping product workflows and developed scripts (drivers) for requirement verification
Directed delivery, installation, and verification of software at numerous customer sites
Tested/Integrated applications built on operating systems such as:Windows NT, Window 7.0, Vista, Windows 2000,
Solaris, DOS, Windows 95/NT, Windows XP, etc.
Designed and analyzed Informix and Oracle relational databases and schema development
Initiated the development of software tools to be utilized in testing, integrating software, and configuring hardware
Performed demos of graphic application software and worked with Software Engineering standard practices and procedures
Great communication skills and team work oriented
Secret Security Clearance December 1989 – December 1999
Other Software Experience:
C, C++, Turbo Pascal, Fortran, HTML, Perl, SQL, Java, UNIX Shell, Microsoft Office Suite of Products,Automated testing
tools; 60 WPM
Operating Systems:
Window 7.0, Vista, Windows 2000, Berkley UNIX, Solaris, DOS, Windows 95/NT, Windows XP
Databases:
CADD/GIS Databases, Oracle, and Informix
Hardware:
Laptops, Workstations, and Mainframes
Certifications:
State of Alabama Department of Education Substitute Teacher's License; H & R Block Tax Preparation
Certificate for tax year 2011; Federal Secret Security Clearance 1989 - 1999