A collection of features on Department of Athletics part-time staff employees will be released weekly. If you’re interested in working in Athletics, please visit recruitguelph.ca for details.
Name: Alex Labaj
Position: Head Lifeguard
What are you responsible for in your position?
As a head guard, I, along with my two co-head guards, am responsible for hiring new staff, creating the staff’s schedule, planning and running staff trainings, resolving scheduling conflicts, managing the staff and providing ideas to better run our facility – among other things like lifeguarding and instructing. Our position is very broad, and we are faced with new challenges almost every day – which always keeps us on our feet and makes the job exciting!
Why do you love working for the UofG, Department of Athletics?
I love working here for so many reasons. We have the greatest boss, we get to interact with our entire staff of around 60 members, and we get to cultivate acquaintances with patrons and staff from other departments. The job is also so rewarding; it opens up a lot of leadership opportunities, and it feels good knowing that you play a part in how things are run in aquatics/athletics. Our job is particularly unique as well in that we get actually get to use our first aid skills, and it feels good knowing that you’ve been able to help someone. Work is definitely one of my favorite places to be, no joke – so much so that even when I’m not working, you can usually find me there. There’s always something to do.
What was your proudest moment in this job?
One of my proudest moments was probably being recognized as 2015-2016 female lifeguard of the year, however I feel that my proudest “moment” was just being granted the position that I’m in as head lifeguard. We face new challenges every day, and solving each one is just so satisfying. The opportunity to teach the other staff and see how they develop also makes me really content.
I’m proud to work for the best University in Canada because…..
We have the best atmosphere, the best patrons, the best mascot, the best spirit, the coolest extracurricular programs, the coolest new Athletic Centre …Everything. You’d be surprised at just how much other universities know about us as well!
What have you learned from this job?
I’ve learned so much working here, like how to put customers first, how aquatic supervision and maintenance run, how to communicate and work well with others, and how to be professional. I’ve also mastered how to work our copy/fax machine, which I’m really proud of.
If you could give advice to students looking for a campus job what would it be?
Find a position that interests you, where you’d be able to grow on the job and use your acquired skills for future employment once you leave. When you get the job, be open-minded and think of it as more than just a financial opportunity. If you go to work with a positive attitude and the willingness to learn and be a proactive employee, you’ll get so much more out of it and know that the time you spend there is worth while. It sounds cliché, but seriously, if you love the work you do, it won’t feel like work at all.
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