University of Georgia Athletics
Julie Taylor-Dooley's Secretary Dawg
October 08, 2008 | General
By Tim Gardner
The abilities and gifts God grants are designed specifically for each individual. They are unique, helping to define one’s personality. Where talents for a particular job are concerned, Julie Taylor is a young lady who has clearly been blessed with various skills, which makes her ideal for her post at the University of Georgia.
As administrative and personal assistant to retired Bulldogs athletics director and head football coach, the legendary Vince Dooley, Taylor is the right-hand person’ for one of the busiest individuals in the State of Georgia. Her list of duties is extensive and includes: answering Dooley's office phone calls; helping him respond to the vast amount of U.S. Mail and email correspondence he receives; organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files; helping him plan and schedule his meetings and appointments; and assisting with special projects such as his book writings. She also makes sure Dooley signs the many footballs, pictures, posters, caps, shirts, jerseys and other paraphernalia fans send or bring by his office in the Rankin Smith Student Academics Center on campus requesting his autograph. Additionally, Taylor assists Dooley in making his travel arrangements and sometimes even drives him to various functions such as speaking engagements, book signings and coaching clinics or to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport so he can fly to certain appointments.
Taylor is a quintessential aide with a gift for organization-- a perquisite for her job--- especially because her boss considers it an all-important trait. She’s also a confidante and trusted friend to Dooley. Her competence and loyalty make her invaluable to him. And her service is marked by a gentle, yet firm demeanor with a clear sense of what the priorities are for efficiently performing her duties.
"I consider working for Coach Dooley monumental," Taylor said. "It's an honor to work for one of the most famous sports legends in American history and unquestionably the premier figure at the University of Georgia. My job can be hard at times, but I wouldn't expect it to be anything else. It's most rewarding.”
Taylor offered the following description of Dooley: “Coach Dooley is the most organized person I've encountered. He may seem laidback, but is quite outgoing and likes to talk-- especially about topics in which he's interested. He treats others with respect and kindness and always seems to find time for anyone who requests it. He is also quite funny, yet in a very subtle way. Many times he says something hilarious and doesn't even realize it. He is a joy to work for.”
Executing her tasks with the expertise of someone who has extensive training and many years experience at such, Dooley noted it's remarkable that Taylor is only 20 years old and her secretarial prowess has been obtained solely through practical experience.
"Julie does an excellent job," Dooley said. "She proves that solely self-training can be as beneficial as specialized education. Despite her youth, she has the maturity, knowledge and abilities of someone with many years in her profession. Once I interviewed her, I had no reservations about hiring her. Julie is very consistent in and conscientious of perfecting her duties and I'm happy to have her working for me."
Taylor is a North Oconee High School graduate and a sophomore at Athens Technical Institute where she is pursuing a nursing degree. She attends early evening classes so it won't conflict with her work for Coach Dooley. She is known by her family, friends and colleagues for her perpetual smile and modesty as well as for being a life-long Bulldogs enthusiast. She describes herself as a "very feminine tomboy" with "unique and varied" interests. Taylor arises each morning-- seven days a week-- at 5:00 a.m. and undertakes a physical fitness and exercise program before getting ready for work and other activities she has planned. She’s also an avid outdoors person whose favorite hobbies are hiking, softball and fishing. Taylor even enjoys performing vehicle mechanic work. Furthermore, she’s involved in civic and community functions as a Hospice volunteer through Saint Mary's Hospital in Athens and as one of a few female firefighters in her hometown of Watkinsville, GA.
Taylor is, indeed, an interesting person-- and a likeable one. With this striking brunette, it's not just what you see is what you get; it's more who you see is who you get. There's nothing pretentious about her. She’s respectful of others and their opinions, but will tell you exactly what she thinks and believes in a hurry.
"If I think it, I tend to say it and sometimes that gets me praised and sometimes it gets me in trouble," Taylor said, chuckling. "Everyone has a right to his or her opinions and many of mine aren't always politically correct, but I try to form them on what I think is right. When people do, or at least an attempt to do what is right, God blesses and rewards them for it."
Taylor, whose parents are Bill and Gina Taylor, is proud of the professional success she has achieved, but has never lost perspective. And it's doubtful few have ever maintained as great affection and downright love for their professional work as she does.
“I want to work for Coach Dooley as long as he'll let me," she added. "Every workday is exciting and seems to be even moreso than the previous one. It’s especially a blast when he's in Athens because he's in his office on a regular basis and I tend to stay busiest and learn the most from him during those times. I definitely can stay on the same schedule I'm currently using for the next two years as I complete my nurses training. Then, I will set my schedule so my job with Coach Dooley and as a nurse won't interfere with each other."
In standard parable of the talents, the point is clear: do not bury your talents, use them wisely and they will multiply. Never would Taylor bury her talents. Each job responsibility she carries out displays her dedication to Dooley and the University of Georgia, while her professional repertoire and reputation continues to expand.
-Tim Gardner is a long-time journalist and follower of UGA Athletics. He can be contacted by email at: timgadawgs@yahoo.com.
The abilities and gifts God grants are designed specifically for each individual. They are unique, helping to define one’s personality. Where talents for a particular job are concerned, Julie Taylor is a young lady who has clearly been blessed with various skills, which makes her ideal for her post at the University of Georgia.
As administrative and personal assistant to retired Bulldogs athletics director and head football coach, the legendary Vince Dooley, Taylor is the right-hand person’ for one of the busiest individuals in the State of Georgia. Her list of duties is extensive and includes: answering Dooley's office phone calls; helping him respond to the vast amount of U.S. Mail and email correspondence he receives; organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files; helping him plan and schedule his meetings and appointments; and assisting with special projects such as his book writings. She also makes sure Dooley signs the many footballs, pictures, posters, caps, shirts, jerseys and other paraphernalia fans send or bring by his office in the Rankin Smith Student Academics Center on campus requesting his autograph. Additionally, Taylor assists Dooley in making his travel arrangements and sometimes even drives him to various functions such as speaking engagements, book signings and coaching clinics or to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport so he can fly to certain appointments.
Taylor is a quintessential aide with a gift for organization-- a perquisite for her job--- especially because her boss considers it an all-important trait. She’s also a confidante and trusted friend to Dooley. Her competence and loyalty make her invaluable to him. And her service is marked by a gentle, yet firm demeanor with a clear sense of what the priorities are for efficiently performing her duties.
"I consider working for Coach Dooley monumental," Taylor said. "It's an honor to work for one of the most famous sports legends in American history and unquestionably the premier figure at the University of Georgia. My job can be hard at times, but I wouldn't expect it to be anything else. It's most rewarding.”
Taylor offered the following description of Dooley: “Coach Dooley is the most organized person I've encountered. He may seem laidback, but is quite outgoing and likes to talk-- especially about topics in which he's interested. He treats others with respect and kindness and always seems to find time for anyone who requests it. He is also quite funny, yet in a very subtle way. Many times he says something hilarious and doesn't even realize it. He is a joy to work for.”
Executing her tasks with the expertise of someone who has extensive training and many years experience at such, Dooley noted it's remarkable that Taylor is only 20 years old and her secretarial prowess has been obtained solely through practical experience.
"Julie does an excellent job," Dooley said. "She proves that solely self-training can be as beneficial as specialized education. Despite her youth, she has the maturity, knowledge and abilities of someone with many years in her profession. Once I interviewed her, I had no reservations about hiring her. Julie is very consistent in and conscientious of perfecting her duties and I'm happy to have her working for me."
Taylor is a North Oconee High School graduate and a sophomore at Athens Technical Institute where she is pursuing a nursing degree. She attends early evening classes so it won't conflict with her work for Coach Dooley. She is known by her family, friends and colleagues for her perpetual smile and modesty as well as for being a life-long Bulldogs enthusiast. She describes herself as a "very feminine tomboy" with "unique and varied" interests. Taylor arises each morning-- seven days a week-- at 5:00 a.m. and undertakes a physical fitness and exercise program before getting ready for work and other activities she has planned. She’s also an avid outdoors person whose favorite hobbies are hiking, softball and fishing. Taylor even enjoys performing vehicle mechanic work. Furthermore, she’s involved in civic and community functions as a Hospice volunteer through Saint Mary's Hospital in Athens and as one of a few female firefighters in her hometown of Watkinsville, GA.
Taylor is, indeed, an interesting person-- and a likeable one. With this striking brunette, it's not just what you see is what you get; it's more who you see is who you get. There's nothing pretentious about her. She’s respectful of others and their opinions, but will tell you exactly what she thinks and believes in a hurry.
"If I think it, I tend to say it and sometimes that gets me praised and sometimes it gets me in trouble," Taylor said, chuckling. "Everyone has a right to his or her opinions and many of mine aren't always politically correct, but I try to form them on what I think is right. When people do, or at least an attempt to do what is right, God blesses and rewards them for it."
Taylor, whose parents are Bill and Gina Taylor, is proud of the professional success she has achieved, but has never lost perspective. And it's doubtful few have ever maintained as great affection and downright love for their professional work as she does.
“I want to work for Coach Dooley as long as he'll let me," she added. "Every workday is exciting and seems to be even moreso than the previous one. It’s especially a blast when he's in Athens because he's in his office on a regular basis and I tend to stay busiest and learn the most from him during those times. I definitely can stay on the same schedule I'm currently using for the next two years as I complete my nurses training. Then, I will set my schedule so my job with Coach Dooley and as a nurse won't interfere with each other."
In standard parable of the talents, the point is clear: do not bury your talents, use them wisely and they will multiply. Never would Taylor bury her talents. Each job responsibility she carries out displays her dedication to Dooley and the University of Georgia, while her professional repertoire and reputation continues to expand.
-Tim Gardner is a long-time journalist and follower of UGA Athletics. He can be contacted by email at: timgadawgs@yahoo.com.
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