Katie Haarsager is a public information officer for the North Dakota Industrial Commission – Department of Mineral Resources, a role she’s held since May of this year. She’s a Mohall native. Let’s learn more about Katie our December Service Team Spotlight!
Why do you feel it is important to be part of the YP Network? I’m new to the Bismarck/Mandan community and believe the YP Network is such a great avenue for meeting new people, exploring what a new town has to offer, and becoming woven into that town’s social fabric!
Are you involved in other organizations in the community? If so, to what extent and why is this important to you? I joined the Bismarck/Mandan Garden Club and the Sons of Norway! If anyone is interested in helping me bring the average age of these groups down a little more, let me know! Heritage and traditions are important to me, so Sons of Norway was a draw as I come from a very Norwegian family. I grew up on a farm so gardening is something that I love to learn more about, especially soaking up all that knowledge from those who have done it far longer than I have!
What professional advice do you have for other young professionals? Put your phone down, make eye contact, and truly engage with those around you. Make sure your circle is always expanding and never contracting. Meet new people, say hello to those who look like they want to belong but don’t know where to start, you never know what you might learn from that interaction!
How do you spend your free time? I have a dog that requires oodles of attention! We can be found walking by Cottonwood Park or playing fetch at the dog park in Mandan.
What is your favorite quote? I’m a Teddy Roosevelt fan. Man in the Arena is one of my favorites: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Fun Fact(s)I once worked security at a Def Leppard concert. (My only street cred)
Thank you, Katie, for sharing such great insight! We’re so glad you’re a YPN member!
