Age: 18
Hometown: Ashland, OR
What do you do and how did you get into that field?
I am a paid patroller at Mt. Ashland Ski Area as well as being a full-time high school student. I grew up skiing on Mt. Ashland and it has always been a huge part of my life. So, in 8th grade when I was asked to do a project focusing on a specific job or skill, I knew I wanted to do something that involved skiing. I chose to learn about ski patrolling, and after meeting members of the ski patrol I knew it was something I wanted to participate in. At the time I was too young to participate, but once I turned fifteen I joined the junior patrol. Spending a season on the mountain as a junior sparked my desire to become a patroller, and at sixteen after passing all the requirements I earned my cross.
What is your favorite part about your job?
There are so many different reasons why I love patrolling, it’s hard to choose just one. Obviously being able to ski as part of my job is pretty exciting, but something I really love is the fact that no two days are exactly the same. Since no two days are the same, I constantly have the opportunity to learn new things and practice my skills.
How have you built confidence/resilience over the course of your career?
Since I began patrolling at such a young age, it was sometimes difficult to feel like I had a voice in the conversations. This wasn’t something that I felt from the patrol but rather from myself. I often made myself feel like I couldn’t have confidence in what I was doing because I was so much younger than everyone else I worked with. The more I worked with the patrol and kept learning new skills I realized that my age didn’t really matter. All that mattered is that I knew how to do the job and once I came to this realization my confidence grew.
Who inspires you and why?
As a young female in the industry anytime I have the chance to meet other female patrollers I feel inspired. It is exciting to see other women doing the same thing I am, especially as someone who has not been doing it for a long time. I try to learn as much as I can about their experiences in this industry and hear what they have to say since it gives me a chance to learn more about other areas in the industry I am not yet familiar with.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
The best advice that I have technically not been given but something I heard is that “no is a full sentence.” From my experience and that of others I work with, there is a tendency with the industry to want to take on a lot. Sometimes this type of challenge can be very beneficial but at other times it can be harmful. I think the ability to not feel the need to constantly be pushing myself is a really important part of being a first responder. Being certain I am in a healthy, rested mindset is key for providing the best patient care and creating a culture of safety. In a high intensity job like patrolling, knowing my limits and what I am capable of is critical.