Rosalie Vigneault

This position at a sailing summer camp allows me to live in the Caribbean while developing skills to work under pressure, think ahead, and find solutions. During the summer, I act as the main point of contact for families and staff. I support staff members in managing kids dealing with homesickness, social challenges, and other needs. I handle family concerns, coordinate travel plans, and organize program paperwork. I work closely with all staff members to ensure a safe and fun environment for our campers. During the off-season, I focus on improving organizational systems and assisting with enrollment.

I took a temporary contract as an elementary school English teacher before leaving for my summer job after returning from 2 years of traveling. What was initially meant to be a short-term position to gain experience turned into something much more, becoming a truly rewarding opportunity as I developed a genuine passion for teaching and supporting young learners. I loved creating a positive, engaging classroom environment and building strong relationships with my students. My responsibilities included planning and delivering lessons, assessing progress, providing feedback, and adapting lessons to meet individual needs.

As a tour guide in the desert, I worked in a remote region with extreme weather conditions, which challenged me to adapt quickly. I developed extensive knowledge of Kings Canyon’s flora, fauna, history, and geography, and found a deep passion for sharing this information with guests. Engaging with the natural environment while maintaining a strong focus on guest well-being was crucial, especially as we hiked in hot and dry temperatures. This role sharpened my ability to manage challenging conditions and enhance the visitor experience through education and safety.

This position taught me how to build fun yet mutually respectful relationships with kids, use positive reinforcement effectively, manage meltdowns in ways tailored to each child’s personality, and better understand children’s development.

This job was a valuable opportunity that allowed me to gain significant experience in administrative tasks. I greeted visitors and callers daily, addressed their inquiries, and directed them to the appropriate person based on their needs. I ensured that students' absences were justified and followed up promptly with parents when necessary. Additionally, I managed staff payroll, processed invoice payments, handled student registrations, monitored the budget, and tracked teacher absences.

I started this job during Covid when nursing homes in Quebec were in desperate need of help. Initially, I planned to stay for just a few months, but I ended up staying as long as I could. I quickly developed a deep appreciation for the human connection that being a nurse assistant offered, and for the positive impact I could have on my residents' day simply by being caring, patient, and sympathetic. My tasks included observing changes in patients' conditions and promptly communicating any concerns to the nursing staff, as well as providing direct care to patients, assisting with bathing, feeding, and grooming.