These amazing people have some pretty interesting jobs, so we’re bringing you a fun peek into their work-world along with some of their personal facets. This series will be ongoing, so if you have anyone you’d like to nominate as a potential Spotlight feature, put it in the comments, or send us an email. Enjoy!
Spotlight on Michael Darger
Michael is the community economics specialist at the University of Minnesota’s Extension Center for Community Vitality (on the St. Paul campus) and has been with UMN for 24 years. He helped build the Community Economics team and has been the business retention and expansion director throughout his career.
What does a typical day look like in your job?
I have a variety of activities: learning, teaching, engaging, and researching. I might do any of these items in a typical day:
- Teach an online session of our Business Retention and Expansion course or the “Is your Business Ready for Success(ion)” course
- Work on applied research for a Minnesota community
- Create content for a course or workshop.
- Engage with economic developers and colleagues on various topics in economic development.
- Work with a UMN student on research or program development
- Attend webinars or events that contribute to my knowledge and skills
What do you like best about your current job?
Minnesota has 50,000+ business owners who are near or at retirement age. I enjoy engaging on the issue of business succession and transition with colleagues inside and outside the university.
What about your current job do you find most challenging?
Reaching business owners about business succession and transition is something I must do via others. I don’t have direct connections with the 50,000 businesses in the target audience. So I’m learning how to use social media, video, Salesforce, and other things that may be a struggle for baby boomers.
If you could snap your fingers and solve any problem facing our community, what would it be?
By snapping my fingers, business owners of all ages and types would realize that they need to “begin with the end in mind” to quote the late Steven Covey. Everyone needs an exit plan for the day when it’s time to move on from owning and leading their business. And that business transfer is an opportunity for an emerging entrepreneur.
What is the most recent thing you’ve read (besides email)?
I’ve read all sorts of literature on employee ownership. Most recently is the new book Ownership: Reinventing Companies, Capitalism, and Who Owns What by Corey Rosen and John Case.
What is something (knowledge or a skill) you would like to learn?
I’d like to learn how to use social media skillfully, without it exploiting me or taking over my life. Is this possible and sustainable?
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received that has helped you in your career?
I’m not sure I ever received this advice in so many words, but I believe that a person does best in their career when they find a role where they can engage their mind, their heart, and their soul. Doing community economic development has allowed me to do that for the most part.