Less than one year into her job as a service technician at Patterson, Oproum Lok beams with pride every time she walks into an office. When starting her career, she didn’t originally see herself in a role like she is in now, but as she says, things tend to fall into place at the right time.
Oproum started out in the medical field working for a hospital.
“I thought I was going to go into nursing but then I transferred into biomed engineering,” shared Oproum. “Growing up, I was taught that women were supposed to stay in the household, so trying to forge my own path was definitely out of the norm for my family.”
Patterson gave a presentation to recruit for the service technician role at the school Oproum was attending and it immediately sparked her interest. As a single mother of three, Oproum does everything with her family in mind and this was no different. She thought about her kids and how this new opportunity would positively affect their lives.
“My drive is my children. I’ve come from a background where I’ve struggled to make ends meet, but I’m always going to try my best for the sake of my family. I’m the main caretaker and that is always my number one job.”
Oproum accepted the position with Patterson and started at the Seattle Branch in November of 2022. Coming in with a lot to learn, she was thrilled that Patterson took a chance on her and was ready to dive into learning the ins and outs of her new position.
“This company has accepted me exactly as I am and I’m so grateful for that. They are letting me finish up class while still working full time and I’m able to see my kids off in the morning and be with them in the evening. They put their faith and support in me and that’s exactly what I put into my customers every time I walk into an office. I want to pay forward the goodness that I have received onto others.”
Being the only woman service tech at the branch doesn’t intimidate Oproum – it drives her. She says there is nothing better than going into an office and seeing another woman at the front desk or as the doctor, and immediately having a connection.
“When a woman in the office sees me, she gets excited and then I get excited,” Oproum laughs. “It’s an empowering feeling being able to connect with our female customers – really all our customers – and help service their offices. I absolutely love my job!”
Her children – two girls and a boy – are extremely proud of their mom and look up to her as a role model. She put herself through school, changed careers, and found a calling at a company that let her live out her best self at work and at home. When it comes to her role models, Oproum says, “It’s all me.”
“I worked really hard to get where I’m at and I had to rely on myself. I’m my own role model.”
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