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Deb left a comment for Margret Spears

March 29

Margret Spears left a comment for Deb

March 29

Kate left a comment for Deb

January 28

Profile Information

Hometown:

Houston

About Me:

Retiring from aviation career. Ready to do something that "I want to do". Love to travel. Christian.

Last Seasonal Job:

n/a

Where have you lived and worked?

Missouri/Texas/Puerto Rico/Florida/Tennessee

Dream Job:

Travel Channel Host

Comment Wall (13 comments)

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At 11:06am on March 29, 2009, Margret Spears said…: I am now working in Vail, Colorado until April 13th. I drive Transit buses and have since Oct 2008. I love it here. I am going back to Yosemite the last week in April for the summer then after that who knows.

At 1:34pm on January 28, 2009, Kate said…: I am going to Alaska!!! McKinley Princess Lodge...in the gift shop!!! I am sooooo excited!!! :):) Just found out today!

At 5:10am on January 4, 2009, CHRISTINA said…: Hi Deb - Congrats!. These types of adventures are what you make of it. Do not have ANY expectations and you will have a great time. The Lake Hotel and area is the most beautiful part of the park as far as I'm concerned, and they have about 200 employees at the hotel each summer. A whole dorm of them are usually older and bolder, Goldeneye, and they keep them away from the partying crowds. Dorms are very rustic and you share - so just go with the flow - remember you have to give up your creature comforts for an amazing adventure. You don't say what you'll be doing - EDR; dishes; server? Food Service is tough, but you will be in good company. I have a friend who has worked there 16 summers I believe and she's 78 or 79 by now. She's a hostess and loves it, despite the fact that she has bad feet. Another friend is in her late 60's and has done housekeeping there for many years. The altitude will be hard to get used to in the beginning but you'll adjust. Just be friendly and you'll make friends very soon. Its an amazing experience. You have a few months to get ready, so try walking more or doing some stair climbing to get you ready. Enjoy - I was Asst. Hotel Mgr. there two summers - some of my fondest memories because mostly of the friends I made there, and the spectacular views. Any other questions I can give you my personal email - let me know. I may see you there as I think I'm going to be offered something different with the NPS this year - not sure yet. Although I had also wanted to go to Maine; just not enough summers to cover all we want to do!!!!

At 3:55pm on December 31, 2008, Bruce and Rose Eddy said…: Deb, sorry I didn't answer you sooner. I haven't checked "my Page" lately. Thanks for the comment about the pictures. We will be working at Signal Mtn. Lodge this summer, Christina gave you some good tips. I can add that we have been doing this for ten years now and worked Yellowstone and Colorado but keep coming back to the Tetons. Its my favorite place.
Rose

At 4:15pm on December 29, 2008, CharD said…: Deb, thanks for the prayers. Is that your dog in your picture? He/She is beautiful. Charlotte

At 3:59am on December 29, 2008, CharD said…: Hi Deb,
I have a health problem that I need to get resolved -- a problem that might force me to stay home through the summer. I don't want to apply for a job for which I might not be available. If I can't do it this summer, then I'll definitely want to work the next summer.
Charlotte

At 11:40am on December 27, 2008, Kate said…: Not yet, but then the hiring manager isn't back for the Alaska job I've put in for) until Jan 12, so I'd imagine interviewing won't be starting till sometime after that. I anticipate a call soon thereafter :) And I'm sure the same goes for the other places I have applied at.....

At 5:56am on December 8, 2008, CHRISTINA said…: Hey Deb - I was a hotel manager for 3 summers in Yellowstone, and before that on the front desk in Glacier and Tetons. I now work for the park service (which is harder to get into as a newby); but virtually anyone can get a job in the park lodges. The current economy aside, these operations are desperate for good reliable people, and most of them like older people just for that reason. It doesn't have to be retail. If you know computers, you can work on the front desk. Or in accounting. Or hostess. Or make sandwiches in a deli. If you've been mostly sedentary Housekeeping & F&B may be out, but an activities desk if you like people would be fun. Lodging in all of these places can be an issue. For your first job I would pick some place, like Yellowstone, or Tetons, that offers older people dorms. If its you and your husband you would have your own room; if not, you would share with another woman - the rooms are small. As an example, at Lake Hotel or Canyon Lodge (both in Yellowstone; both I've managed), they put all the older folks in one dorm so as to avoid noise and other issues. I have friends who have been going back there for 13 + years, and they're in their 60's and 70's. There are lobbies where you can read, play cards or just hang. You do have to give up most of the conveniences that you have at home - most don't have TV, and they are very rustic. But you should go there for the lifestyle, the opportunity to meet new people, and to enjoy fabulous scenery. Never be afraid to go on an adventure - that is what life is all about. By the way, in my opinion (and its only an opinion) Old Faithful is to be avoided - mostly because it is so busy and because the Lake area for example is so much prettier. It is one of my favorite places in the park. The Jackson Lake Lodge, in Tetons is a good place to work - beautiful surroundings, but you share a bath there - they're housing is more limited. Signal Mountain Lodge, although I've never worked there, offers a good opportunity I think. Write back if you need any further help. One last thing, be sure to put down 3 job choices to assure yourself you will get something you want.

At 10:32pm on December 7, 2008, Kate said…: Their biggest concerns will be your willingness and ability to do the job :) They've lost an awful lot of newhires to complaints about having to stand on their feet and go up and down stairs.... (which is why I included those in the info I gave you.) They absolutely love having people of long experience coming into Yellowstone to work....a lot of varied backgrounds and nationalities work in the Park. Have you thought about applying for a driver/guide job with Xanterra in Yellowstone? Or dispatch? In any case, I believe that flexibility and a good attitude are tops for Yellowstone...
Me, I don't know yet where I will be. Hoping to work in Alaska in summer 09.....

At 9:16am on December 6, 2008, Toni Bain said…: Hi Deb! Welcome to the world of 'seasonal employment'! What kind of work are you wanting to do? My 'specialty' is tour management so I am not very knowledgable about the housekeeping, hotel running, waitressing or retail management stuff. I worked on 2 riverboats, selling and managing the optional excursions then worked in Alaska for Grayline (Holland America) and was a tour director. Grayline of Alaska is taking applications and they have an informational page connected to Coolworks that can answer any questions you might have. What I like about the alaska gig (and especially Grayline) is that they hire a wide variety in ages. They give you the training at the beginning of the season so you are familiar with the places you will accompany the guests. Good luck! This is such a wonderful way of life!