CRUISING FOR KNOWLEDGE – A PERSONAL JOURNEY

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I just returned from an 11-day cruise to the Caribbean, to celebrate my birthday.  While this was not my first cruise, in some ways it felt like that.  I always tell students they should get comfortable talking to people they don’t know because you never know from where the next internship, informational interview or job opportunity may come.  So while onboard this beautiful ship named Reflection, I decided to let my curiosity about cruise ship staff be the springboard for some great conversations!

The most pressing question for me was “how did you come to work for the cruise line?” I started with Dina, our stateroom attendant, who is from Honduras and has been working for Celebrity Cruise Lines for about 5 years. She was motivated to leave her home country and seek an opportunity that would allow her to earn pretty good wages and see the world while doing so.  She expressed gratitude for her parents with whom her 15 year old daughter lives as well as the sadness of missing out on key milestones in her daughter’s life. From Dina, I learned the importance of gratuities above and beyond the daily amount charged; based on the way the “pooled gratuities” are split, she would receive approximately 26% of the daily charge. This fact is critical because her earnings are based solely on gratuities!

Next I chatted with staff in the specialty dining room where we ate daily.  The way the staff worked together at every meal was like watching poetry in motion.  The maître d, Umesh, has been with the cruise line for nearly 20 years. He attended university in India, receiving a degree in business with a concentration in hospitality management and was quickly hired after applying for a position at Celebrity. Param, our waiter, followed a similar path, graduating with a degree in tourism. Both men started in entry-level roles, on a few different ships and continue to rise through the ranks. My conversations with Umesh and Param centered on the challenge of being “on” in such customer-facing roles all the time.  I asked about educational requirements, training that staff receives once hired, and the challenges of being away from family 6-7 months at a time.  These gentlemen provided excellent customer service during every interaction with them and I wanted to know the secret sauce!

But the highlight for me was my two-hour conversation on the last night of the cruise with a couple of millennials who were part of the Shore Excursion team, Samuel and Fabio.  Samuel is from Rhodes, Greece, a touristy destination, where he attended college, spent 1 year in the army, worked in and played music at a bar and had other odd jobs.  Immediately prior to joining Celebrity, he was a tour operator for a company that provides shore excursions for cruise guests.  Someone suggested he consider employment with Celebrity so he submitted his CV and was immediately hired – that was 3 months ago and he is loving it.  Fabio attended the university in his native Portugal, receiving a degree in cultural studies and tourism and working as a waiter before joining Celebrity 5 months ago.  Samuel and Fabio spoke about the balance between long work hours while getting to literally “see the world”, connecting with great people (fellow staff members and cruise guests) and then the cruise is over or there are unexpected changes in contracts for staff. Both of these young men described a working environment onboard where race, religion nor position mattered.  They’ve also observed that not many of their fellow staff members are from the United States – something I noticed as well.  Samuel suggested that it may have to do with US employees having to pay taxes on their income which is not the case for many countries.  And since wages are based largely on gratuities or commissions for many of the positions, starting a career in the cruise may not be as financially attractive for US workers.

So why was I inspired to write this piece? Because I wanted to share a personal experience of being open to going wherever the conversation led. The way my brain is wired, I’m always thinking about how to connect the dots.  In this case, I wanted to learn more about various careers within the cruise industry from folks whom I had the pleasure of interacting with for 11 straight days.  I really wanted to hear from them about the skill sets they find to be most important – and ones they utilize daily — in their roles. Not surprisingly, people skills via customer relations/customer service was number one! Problem solving skills followed closely behind.  This sounds simple, but imagine how you might handle a disgruntled cruise guest who felt a shore excursion experience was ruined because a cloud appeared in his photo of a perfect sunset! When I speak with students interested in hospitality management, they mostly speak about working in hotels or restaurants – never cruise lines. While I still have lots more research to do in order to assist students, the insights provided by Dina, Param, Umesh, Samuel and Fabio are definitely helpful.  I will keep my promise to provide all of them with this article, as they shared my excitement about it!

My takeaway? You never know what might be a conversation starter.  For us, it was a San Jose Jazz Festival T-Shirt. On Day 1 of the cruise, Samuel noticed my husband’s San Jose Jazz T-Shirt and began a conversation about being a musician and music aficionado.  Dina also noticed the shirt, asked if my husband was a musician and went on to talk about her love of jazz music and how she was looking forward to an upcoming itinerary that would take her to New Orleans during Mardi Gras!

Fitting in a little “work” during vacations has become my new normal.  This time I gained more than I gave and I hope to cross paths with these fine folks in the future. So take the leap and strike up a conversation – you never know where it might lead.  And always remember, The Journey Begins with You…!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, the African American Community Services Agency (AACSA), and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents (NCAMP).

STAYING “FRESH” IN THE WORLD OF COLLEGE COUNSELING

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“Oh, the places you’ll go!”  As I reflect back on 2018, this sentiment was definitely true. People often ask me why I travel so much and if the travel is related to my work. My response is simple – yes, it’s necessary to better support my students!

I take great pride in having been accepted into two professional organizations designed for college counselors – Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA). Both organizations offer annual conferences that provide an opportunity for members to attend workshops spanning a wide variety of topics, as well as engage in conversations with colleagues to compare notes about our common – and not so common – experiences in the work we do every day. Last month’s article highlighted two conference presentations I attended related to STEM and Trends in College Admissions.

At the conference, I also had the great pleasure of facilitating a roundtable discussion for independent educational consultants who “give back” by partnering with community organizations to provide college counseling services, assisting students on a pro-bono or sliding scale basis and/or deliver free workshops for organizations in the community.  As an active member of my community, I always enjoy opportunities to learn more about how colleagues around the country implement programs and deliver services that benefit under-served students.

College visits help to give me a fresh perspective and have become a staple of nearly every trip I take! But there’s nothing like touring colleges with fellow college counselors, where we get to share our impressions of the schools and exchange thoughts about the type(s) of students that might be a good fit.  I embarked upon one of those fun trips to Missouri – appropriately called the STEAM Tour – in July. I absolutely love learning about schools that are (or could be) hidden gems for students, if they and their parents would allow themselves to consider great schools, often with good merit aid, that do not necessarily have the same name-recognition as other institutions.  Here are a few examples:

  • Drury University – Cyber Risk Management major, average starting salary out of college is $95K and per Bureau of Labor Statistics, this career field is projected to grow 28%. They also have an accredited architecture program, with a 5 year Masters’ degree program designed so that you keep your undergraduate financial aid for all 5 years.
  • Missouri Science & Technology – Ceramics engineering major where 55% of the students in that major are women
  • Saint Louis University – right in the heart of St. Louis but the beautiful campus is enclosed in a way you forget you are in the middle of the city! Strong aviation and aeronautics programs; fun fact: an SLU alum has participated in every NASA space mission!

I also toured Prairie View A&M University (TX), Lincoln University (PA), Villanova University (PA), Hampton University (VA) and the University of Washington. I always encourage students and families to visit schools during family vacations whenever it’s feasible. There are so many great institutions out there that you just might be surprised when you stumble upon a campus that just takes your breath away!

So where will my travels take me in 2019?  I’ll visit schools in the Chicago area in the Spring and head to Rhode Island and Tennessee during the summer.  I haven’t finalized my college tour list yet, but I know there are great adventures ahead, exploring a variety of schools with colleagues.  Stay tuned for great stories and fun facts in the months to come.  In the meantime, I’ll be working with juniors to get them ramped up for the college application process and helping seniors evaluate offers of admission and financial aid awards. And my work in the community will include co-chairing the 29th Annual Black College Awareness Fair sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Rho Delta Omega Chapter on March 2, 2019 and serving on the leadership team for the 30th Annual Student Recognition Program sponsored by the Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators on May 5, 2019.  Never a dull moment in the life of this college counselor!

So as you begin anew in 2019, embrace opportunities to “stay fresh” in your own way. Take time to identify things you want to know more about, try out new activities, and cast your net wide as you explore schools you’ve never heard of. Fresh starts feel good, too!  And always remember, The Journey Begins with You…!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, the African American Community Services Agency (AACSA), and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents (NCAMP)

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU – MOVING FORWARD IN 2018!

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Happy New Year! I hope that each of you had a celebratory and restful holiday season, spending quality time with those most dear in our lives.

With the dawn of 2018, the tradition of making resolutions starts anew.  We vow to do better – exercise more, eat more nutritiously, get organized, stop procrastinating, etc., etc.  New beginnings take place for students, too.  As you begin this new year, what commitments are you making to be a better student? A new semester often means new classes, so what actions will you take to make a strong start? Your college applications are submitted – how will you stay focused and keep senioritis from creeping onto your radar? Summer seems so far away, yet applications for summer enrichment programs will be due soon – will you be ready?

The new year is also a time for reflection, a look back before charging ahead on a new journey. This time is very important, and it’s always a good approach to start and end with the high points.  What classes went exceptionally well? What did I accomplish that surprised even myself? What honors or recognition did I receive to add to my resume? If I could wipe the slate clean for my pre-calculus class, what would I do differently? I think if I started preparing for my US History exams sooner, I would have really learned the material better and earned a higher grade. Perhaps forming a study group for AP chemistry would have helped me.

Focus your energy on this new start – consider it a reboot, a refresh. As you set new goals, be realistic so that you have an opportunity to be successful.  Include short- and longer-term goals, as achieving milestones along the journey is key to staying motivated.  Think beyond your academic settings when it comes to establishing goals—remember you are a multi-dimensional being!  Here are a few things for every age group to consider:

Middle school students – Some of you will be preparing to transition to high school. The standardized tests you will take this Spring will determine course placement, so take them seriously. Look for leadership roles in Scouts, on athletic teams. Begin thinking about how you can serve your community, sharing your talents and interests.

High school students – A new semester often means new courses; think of strategies to have a strong start. Standardized testing is important for you, too; it’s a good idea to develop a test plan that includes formal preparation if necessary. Identify summer enrichment programs that will provide exposure to academic and career areas of interest. Find community service projects that speak to your heart not your college application!)– there are many needs in our surrounding communities. Go visit colleges so you begin to get a sense of the wide variety of institutions across the U.S. And if you are a high school junior, now is the time to step up your game and prepare for the college application process that will be here in the blink of an eye!

College students – You, too, will start new courses and getting a good start applies to you as well. You will begin seeking out, applying to and interviewing for internships, research opportunities, and/or summer employment. Perhaps there are changes on the horizon for your housing arrangement – a move off campus or selection of new roommates. The ‘newness’ of your first semester at college is over so now you are ready to settle down and put academics first.

It wouldn’t be fair to ask you to think about starting fresh without sharing some of my own resolutions for the new year. Professional development will be a focus for me in 2018. There is always so much to learn in order to better support students and families. I am excited about conferences, counselor college tours and information exchanges with colleagues to ensure that I have the knowledge and resources necessary. I look forward to continuing my passion for giving back by leveraging opportunities to share knowledge with students and families who need support but may not have the financial means to secure additional services.  That is my “heart-work” and I honor this commitment annually.

Let’s get this journey through 2018 started!  Good luck, and remember The Journey Begins with You…

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators, Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency, and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents.