Show and Tell Tuesday | When I Grow Up

Linking up with Andrea for another edition of Show and Tell Tuesday! Growing up while most people wanted to be a teacher, or a doctor, or something like that... I wanted to do one thing...

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Own a Hallmark Store | My first job outside of babysitting was at Lair's Hallmark in Columbus, Ohio. This was my job all through high school and on Christmas/Summer break in college. I have always loved to send and receive cards, but working in Hallmark gave me even more of a love for writing cards. I used to say that one day I'd own a Hallmark - but that idea as changed a little. I am very interested in opening a store that sells cards, invitations and stationery. I also hope to sell gifts - think candles, planners, jewelry, home items and anything that can be monogrammed (embroidered or vinyl). While this is not currently a reality based on the fact that we are only going to live in Florida for a few more years, I would love to do this when we move to Virginia! I'll keep my fingers crossed that I can do this one day!

Working at a Hotel | I went to Virginia Tech for college and majored in Hospitality and Tourism Management. While there are a lot of different career paths you can choose I decided to focus my attention or working in Hotels/Resorts. I was lucky enough to land a job in Palm Desert, California right out of college and have been working for the same Hospitality Company since 2007. I have been lucky to advance my career and move across the country and back with a great company. When I worked in Palm Desert I was first a Bench Manager which is a 12-month program where I worked as an Assistant Front Desk Manager, Assistant Food & Beverage Manager, and Assistant Housekeeping Manager. I also spent a year working as a Food & Beverage Manager. I then moved to West Palm Beach, Florida to open a new resort and while I was there I was in charge of the Front Office. My next move was to Hilton Head, South Carolina where I focused on Front Office for a year and then moved back to Housekeeping Management. My final move was to Fort Lauderdale where I worked for 2 years as the Guest Relations Manager and am now the Resort Experience Manager.

I would be lying if I said that I knew I wanted to work in a hotel since I was a child... but I had a pretty solid idea when I started at Virginia Tech and I have had a great career following this dream since I graduated. While I don't think that I will continue to do this forever, it is definitely something I enjoy doing and who can complain about working in the fabulous location where everyone wants to vacation?!

I can't wait to see what everyone else wanted to be when they grow up... and am looking forward to the future Show and Tell Tuesday Link-Ups!