Courtesy of Ivan Rosales

INTERVIEW BY ALEXIS MCCUTCHAN STAFF WRITER

Employee: Ivan Rosales, Mail Services

Why did you pick up this job?

Originally, it was just a job I applied for in a field I’ve never tried before. Over the years, I’ve learned to love the Mason community.

How long have you been with Mason, and what is your favorite memory you have? 

I have been part of the Mason community since Sept. 2005. I have many great memories since I’ve been at Mason. I could write a book, but the most exciting time was probably in early 2006 when the Mason basketball team made it all the way to the Final Four at the 2006 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. 

What is your favorite thing about this job?

My favorite thing about my job is that I am able to get to know many great people here at Mason: students, faculty and staff. I’ve met many of my friends here.

How has COVID-19 affected your job?

This pandemic has affected everyone in different ways. To me — aside from the social distancing, constant hand washing, the masks and staying behind a shield most of the time — I miss the interaction with people the most.

What opportunity has this current job given you that other jobs haven’t?

I may sound like a scratched LP [record] by now; this job has been giving me the opportunity to meet the most interesting and amazing people in my adult life.

What is the most important thing about your job?

A mailroom like the one at GMU is a very complex operation, not only that we receive packages and paper mail for students and faculty/staff, we also handle several thousand pieces of mail sent by university departments: mass mailing, bulk mail, business reply mail and much more. It would take hours to explain it all. My job is to make sure all of this works smoothly — that is the most important thing about my job.

What are some things you would like to change about your job?

There is really nothing I would like for my job to change. Now, this is a little tricky question and I don’t want to be a little too technical — it comes with the complexity of the mailing system. I wish it was a bit simpler. From time to time, I get to learn something I never knew existed.

I also would like for things to change back to the way things were before COVID, but this might take a while.

Has COVID-19 upped the increase of packages coming in?

As a result of the current pandemic, the number of students living on campus has decreased some, this has also decreased the number of packages arriving at the mailroom but not by much. We also have noticed that even with the lower number of students on campus, the active students on campus seem to be ordering more online.

Is the mailroom having any current issues?

The mailroom is currently not having any issues. We have to thank the university and Canon for their quick reaction when the pandemic broke out. The guidelines established kept us open and [we] stayed safe all year round. Of course, this would have not been possible without the participation of all students, faculty and staff.