Her Story
About Janice
Janice BaldonGutter serves as a lecturer at the University of Louisville in the Digital Transformation Center, teaching AI on a part-time basis while semi-retired. She has over 25 years of experience teaching in higher education and brings a strong background in human resources, holding HR certification and membership in a local SHRM chapter. In addition to her academic role, Janice has worked as an ADA coordinator assisting employees with disabilities return to work. She is passionate about advocacy and has volunteered as a caregiver for people with disabilities, helping families and employees find support. Janice also wrote a book about her experiences as a caregiver for her parents. She attributes her success to determination, noting that she grew up in public housing and received encouragement toward higher education from an aunt along with support from teachers. Janice values strong ethics, loyalty, and commitment in both her professional and personal life. She advises others to keep learning, develop themselves continuously, and take advantage of hidden benefits such as tuition plans. Currently, she is preparing to launch her own training and development business.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Janice
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to determination. I was determined to move forward even when I didn't always have someone to encourage me. I grew up in public housing and had an aunt who committed me to higher education even though I didn't know what college was. She provided that pushing, promotion, and support, along with good support from some of my teachers.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Keep learning and keep developing yourself. Look for all benefits, not just the obvious ones, like tuition plans that people don't recognize. Continue learning and developing yourself, not waiting for someone to offer you developments.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Continue to develop yourself and watch for those hidden benefits. Everybody looks at Medicare and medical benefits but sometimes there are other benefits that you need to take advantage of. Don't wait to be developed, develop yourself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Overcoming discrimination and prejudices and not allowing those to stop me. I've run into generational discrimination and multi-generational, and obviously racial, but not letting that stop me.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Strong ethics, loyalty, and commitment to the goal of the organization or family. I was a caregiver for many years for my mom and co-caregiver for my dad, and even wrote a book about it.
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