Greetings from... Bonnie!
Yes, it is I. Noah tells me that I haven't been too great at letting people from our Eastern Time Zone homes know what I'm up to... so here I am!
As most of you know, I have worked for Forest Protection with the Albertan Government for a very, very long time. Over the 5 years of time I spent there, I have worked under a plethora of titles (ok, 4) in 3 districts (5 towns!). They are really the only employers I've ever had. However, things just weren't going well anymore... I wasn't as satisified with the job, or as self-motivated with my work. Plus, Noah and I were only an hour apart, but working through a long distance relationship...
So, 4 weeks ago tomorrow, I gave my notice with Forest Protection. I didn't have a job lined up yet, but I knew that it was something that I had to do for my own happiness. It was hard, and nerve-wracking, to leave the only employment I really know. Upon walking out of my boss' office, I felt at peace.
I applied to a series of jobs in a variety of fields in Banff. I got 3 of them! I was hired at Lush Cosmetics, Silver City Mercantile (shiny things!), and the Banff Court Libraries. In the meantime, I was interviewing with another job at the Banff Centre. This was a job that Noah found a want-ad for in the paper, as a Program Coordinator for Leadership Development at the Banff Centre. I almost didn't apply, but heard such great things about the Banff Centre as employers that I decided... sure. Why not. I was applying everywhere else in Banff, why not there?
I was invited to an interview, stage one, over the phone. Since it was a phone interview, and I was going to be using my cell phone, I had a little bit of liberty deciding where I wanted to be... so here's a picture of me, a minute before the interview began:
It was definitely one of the most relaxing locations I've ever been in for a job interview (although visiting Nana in Arizona is a close 2nd)! I was reading over the information they provided about the position, and suddenly realized... that I was made for this job. Every job or volunteer position I have worked in the last decade provided me with a great background for it. I felt it. I was perfect. And I told them so. I think that they liked that.
I got a 2nd interview, this time in person. The interviewers were 3 fantastic women, truly passionate about their work and happy with their jobs. It went great... and without really knowing what the job was, but knowing that I would be great at it... I got the job.
I have since found out that the Banff Centre Leadership Development program is a pretty elite organization. They primarily cater to the upper management of different companies or from the community, and have some pretty amazing programs. I'm not talking about your typical "motivate your workers" weeklong-getaways... every program has an artistic aspect ranging from molding clay to improv to dance, as well as an outdoors experience ranging from rock climbing to hiking to cross country skiing. There are 20 people in the department spread out over 5 modules, and I will be working in Custom Programs... we have 12 corporate clients ranging from Oil and Gas Industrial Giants to Financial Institutions, and even a Non-Profit Organization... our clients are based primarily in Western Canada, although one or two are from some Western States. Each of these clients has worked with our Organization to create a unique program for their employees based not only on their vision and corporate ideologies, but with specific goals in mind that change annually, even monthly.
My place in all that: as a program coordinator, I will help to develop what goes into each unique program, and from there, ensure that the logistics of each program is established so that the clients have as smooth and pleasant experience as possible. Parts of the job are heavily administrative, parts are "being a pleasant hostess"... it's very fluid and versatile, yet clearly definied, which I really appreciate.
I've only worked with the Banff Centre for 1 day, but I'm excited. I'm excited for the next couple of weeks of training, and the next few months of watching our programs get off the ground and into the conference rooms. I'm excited that I get to wear business clothes again, and high heels. I'm excited that I have my very own office! and that when I first looked out my window, there were 2 young deer grazing on the lawn. This is a fantastic opportunity, and I'm pretty grateful for it.
In regards to the rest of life, how things are going... Noah and I are still staying at a hotel waiting for the flood damage to be cleared out from the apartment. That does mean that yes, we will both be living in our tiny little rental... what was previously cozy just might be pretty cramped. We'll see what happens once we settle into our routines :-)
Anyway, that's a pretty long post for my first. I hope that all is well 2 hours ahead of me, and look forward to seeing you all soon... whenever that may be.
Much love,
Bonnie
p.s-- thanks for the pen, Marvin!
As most of you know, I have worked for Forest Protection with the Albertan Government for a very, very long time. Over the 5 years of time I spent there, I have worked under a plethora of titles (ok, 4) in 3 districts (5 towns!). They are really the only employers I've ever had. However, things just weren't going well anymore... I wasn't as satisified with the job, or as self-motivated with my work. Plus, Noah and I were only an hour apart, but working through a long distance relationship...
So, 4 weeks ago tomorrow, I gave my notice with Forest Protection. I didn't have a job lined up yet, but I knew that it was something that I had to do for my own happiness. It was hard, and nerve-wracking, to leave the only employment I really know. Upon walking out of my boss' office, I felt at peace.
I applied to a series of jobs in a variety of fields in Banff. I got 3 of them! I was hired at Lush Cosmetics, Silver City Mercantile (shiny things!), and the Banff Court Libraries. In the meantime, I was interviewing with another job at the Banff Centre. This was a job that Noah found a want-ad for in the paper, as a Program Coordinator for Leadership Development at the Banff Centre. I almost didn't apply, but heard such great things about the Banff Centre as employers that I decided... sure. Why not. I was applying everywhere else in Banff, why not there?
I was invited to an interview, stage one, over the phone. Since it was a phone interview, and I was going to be using my cell phone, I had a little bit of liberty deciding where I wanted to be... so here's a picture of me, a minute before the interview began:
It was definitely one of the most relaxing locations I've ever been in for a job interview (although visiting Nana in Arizona is a close 2nd)! I was reading over the information they provided about the position, and suddenly realized... that I was made for this job. Every job or volunteer position I have worked in the last decade provided me with a great background for it. I felt it. I was perfect. And I told them so. I think that they liked that.
I got a 2nd interview, this time in person. The interviewers were 3 fantastic women, truly passionate about their work and happy with their jobs. It went great... and without really knowing what the job was, but knowing that I would be great at it... I got the job.
I have since found out that the Banff Centre Leadership Development program is a pretty elite organization. They primarily cater to the upper management of different companies or from the community, and have some pretty amazing programs. I'm not talking about your typical "motivate your workers" weeklong-getaways... every program has an artistic aspect ranging from molding clay to improv to dance, as well as an outdoors experience ranging from rock climbing to hiking to cross country skiing. There are 20 people in the department spread out over 5 modules, and I will be working in Custom Programs... we have 12 corporate clients ranging from Oil and Gas Industrial Giants to Financial Institutions, and even a Non-Profit Organization... our clients are based primarily in Western Canada, although one or two are from some Western States. Each of these clients has worked with our Organization to create a unique program for their employees based not only on their vision and corporate ideologies, but with specific goals in mind that change annually, even monthly.
My place in all that: as a program coordinator, I will help to develop what goes into each unique program, and from there, ensure that the logistics of each program is established so that the clients have as smooth and pleasant experience as possible. Parts of the job are heavily administrative, parts are "being a pleasant hostess"... it's very fluid and versatile, yet clearly definied, which I really appreciate.
I've only worked with the Banff Centre for 1 day, but I'm excited. I'm excited for the next couple of weeks of training, and the next few months of watching our programs get off the ground and into the conference rooms. I'm excited that I get to wear business clothes again, and high heels. I'm excited that I have my very own office! and that when I first looked out my window, there were 2 young deer grazing on the lawn. This is a fantastic opportunity, and I'm pretty grateful for it.
In regards to the rest of life, how things are going... Noah and I are still staying at a hotel waiting for the flood damage to be cleared out from the apartment. That does mean that yes, we will both be living in our tiny little rental... what was previously cozy just might be pretty cramped. We'll see what happens once we settle into our routines :-)
Anyway, that's a pretty long post for my first. I hope that all is well 2 hours ahead of me, and look forward to seeing you all soon... whenever that may be.
Much love,
Bonnie
p.s-- thanks for the pen, Marvin!
posted by Bonnie at 9:04 PM
3 Comments:
Wow, what an update and very interesting since I had no idea of what your job was out there. THANK YOU> I can't wait to hear after your two weeks of training.
love
deb
Bonnie, this sounds like a "Real Job"... and not a "real job" like you get a Western which is mostly like, working at a call centre. You're wierding me out here.
Darling Bonnie, I'm so happy for you! You are made for such a job (and to do it in sexy business clothes). Congrats love, best of luck, xo
P.S. - hi Noah - hope you guys get back into the apt. soon.
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