Matt Bib:
CLASS OF 1991
Brandywine High SchoolClass of 1991
Wilmington, DE
University of DelawareClass of 1995
Newark, DE
Saint Mary Magdalen SchoolClass of 1987
Wilmington, DE
Hanby Middle SchoolClass of 1987
Wilmington, DE
Lombardy Elementary SchoolClass of 1982
Wilmington, DE
Matt's Story
LIFE
My bio? Well, after graduation I went right into UD as an art major, but basically dropped out after a year for financial reasons. Then I got stuck in the rut of work. I worked at a small communications business for four years, and then left them when I realized I wasn't going anywhere, waited tables for awhile, and ended up getting a job in Purchasing at First USA in 1997, staying through mergers with Bank One and JPMorgan Chase. My job's morphed over the past few years, and though it was stressful at times, I liked it and I like to think I was pretty successful there...until my job was eliminated in February 2005. I then enjoyed severance through the end of the year. I took jobs at Agilent Technologies and then at Dupont, but I really disliked both companies. In 2007 I lucked into a position at ING DIRECT, which was acquired by Capital One in 2012.
I still draw when I can, and my biggest regret is not pursuing the art thing as aggressively as I could, but I'm not unhappy. In 2011 I started the process of coming out to my friends and family and in 2015 I met my now husband. We got married in May 2017 and we split our time between Wilmington and Asbury Park, NJ.
SCHOOL
Some think it's a five-leter word that shouldn't be uttered. But, despite what one might expect, I look back on high school with nothing but fondness.
That's largely in part to my two favorite teachers, Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Toombs. Both inspired me to be myself and do my own thing and this definitely helped make Brandywine a more enjoyable place.
I also have a little regret that I wasn't more outgoing at the time and the friendships that I missed because of this. But, as seen at our 10 year reunion, this didn't matter really. Catching up with those who attended was a great time, especially considering I've known many of my classmates since Lombardy and St. Mary Magdelen. It's because of this that I look forward already to our next gathering.
One thing I liked most a...Expand for more
bout high school was the unlikely spirit that our class had at the time. Our sophomore spirit week pep rally springs to mind. But my favorite moments were just the times chatting with various students in art class, where, despite the pettiness and cliques that existed elsewhere, we seemed to always get along and have fun.
And lastly, strawberry daiquiris and fake IDs. Only people in my chefs and art classes will get those two comments.
COLLEGE
Unfortunately I only attended UD for one year before having to move on to the real world of work. Even now, more than ten years later, I've failed to earn a degree, despite having returned at one point to take classes at Drexel's Wilmington campus. That said it's still a goal.
WORK
I've been working since I was a kid, really, when I had my first paper route. Later, during high school, I spent a few weeks at Burger King on Concord Pike, then a couple years at Happy Harry's in Talleyville, and lastly at one of the department stores in Concord Mall.
After leaving UD after one year I actually painted for a bit before getting a job as an office manager for a small satellite communications and electronics firm in New Castle. I hated every minute of it.
After four years of their abuse I tried my luck with a placement firm and found my way to First USA, where I was hired after five months as a temp. That was in '97. A few years later they officially changed their name to Bank One and then in 2004 merged with JPMorgan Chase. Over that seven year period I climbed from a temp job to a department manager and had high hopes of continual progression. But, as is often the case with corporations, that merger resulted in my position being eliminated.
After a severance period I worked at Agilent Technologies and then at Dupont for awhile, but didn't like either comopany. In the fall of 2007 I finally lucked my way into ING DIRECT which was acquired by Capital One in 2012 and that's where I continue to enjoy my job.
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