“Cayci, could you move a transfer truckload of Styrofoam coolers?” 

“Hey Skinny Dipper, could you go to Alabama today to dip ice cream?” 

“Cayci, could you cut out 350 signs during the next hour?”

“Cayci, could you run home and try out this new recipe?”

I started working as an intern at Mayfield just as a summer job. I was going to be there May through August, and then it would be over. Four years later, I found myself crying as I walked out the door and through the parking lot on my last day of work.

Some might call me crazy, but I absolutely loved my job! This is why the internship didn’t end after just a summer. I have never been a fan of repetition, and I learned quickly that I would never have that from my seat at Mayfield, which, I was never sitting in!

During my first couple of months, I was tagged with a name that I am still living with to this day! I was sent to an event in Loudon, Tennessee. At this event, a lady from the newspaper came to Scottie Mayfield who was dipping ice cream next to me. The first thing you need to know is I am tiny! This lady from the newspaper was making conversation and said, “What are you, the Skinny Dipper?” I have been called that ever since. There are Mayfield employees from other branches who I see at events only once a year.  They don’t know my real name. They just call me Skinny Dipper!

A few activities I coordinated while at Mayfield were special events, assisting the Mom Squad, Recipe Club, Kids’ Birthday Club, and many things that were based out of Athens like Relay for Life and the Charity Cookout.

I also probably spent hundreds of hours in what we call the Ad Room. This is where we keep promotional items that are requested from our Sales Reps. I had to pull the items from the shelves and ship them through inter-company mail. This is where I would get attacked with situations like the truckload of coolers. That really happened, and, luckily, I had some wonderful people help me load and unload them all! 

I also got made fun of for working on the floor so much. I just like to work in the floor! And besides, my desk was small, so it was easier to spread things out on the floor. Case closed.

I worked numerous special events and samplings! Even though I am not an actual mother, when the Mom Squad needed someone at the last moment, I was sent. I can’t recall that I ever had a job description. I can’t tell you what I did on a day to day basis, but I was always busy doing something. Work always appeared on my desk, and I could always find something to do. 

My all time favorite events were Ice Cream for America Days! These happened in July to celebrate National Ice Cream month. I was sent to every one of them! Last year, I worked many events. I also lived out of my suitcase and got sun poisoning. I could have said no, but what’s the fun in that?! I also got to take my younger brother along for two of the events in Alabama when I stopped to work them on our way back from a family vacation. He wasn’t very happy about that, but now he appreciates what I did in my internship.

I learned more during my time at Mayfield than any college education ever taught me. Those benefits are great. More importantly, however, this is what is so great about Mayfield and what kept me there: the people. All the people I worked with -- and for -- were absolutely wonderful! You cannot ask for any better!  As I faced some difficult times in the past year, they were all there to support me every step of the way! It is truly a family atmosphere, and I still feel like part of that family as I receive phone calls and emails asking about my new career frequently.

So, for the rest of my life, when I see that yellow milk jug, it will always have a deeper meaning to me!  Mayfield is definitely more than milk and ice creamier! Mayfield is all about a love for what they are doing and for their employees, and I sure know I love Mayfield!