There's someone I'd like you to meet.
Her name is Cpl. Alexandra Doering and she's from Boise, Idaho.
In 2008, fresh out of high school, she joined the U.S. Marines. She made the decision, she told me, because she knew she didn't want to go directly to college after graduation, and she wanted to make sure that once she was ready to go to back to school, she would be able to pay her own way.
Doering's family is involved in construction, and she served her country as a heavy equipment operator, working with bulldozers and front-end loaders performing road work, building bridges and other crucial infrastructure.
During her 4-year career in the Marines, which ends in August, Doering had two stints in Afghanistan, the first from December 2009 to June 2010 and the second from May to December of 2011, where she provided support in base operations for infantry units.
During this time, she also served on the Marine's Female Engagement Team, interacting with women and children in Afghanistan to gauge their feelings about numerous issues.
Soon, Doering, who lives in Vista, will enter the workforce. Her only previous work experience was as a waitress at IHOP in 2008. Now that she's leaving the service, she's looking to get into real estate.
I met Cpl. Doering through the Boots in Business, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce's Military Mentoring Initiative. For 30 days, she will be at The Lund Team office, shadowing members of my staff and I as we go along our daily routines.
Launched last fall, Boots in Business is a great Chamber program, one that I recommend to any businessowner and company. We have many great military veterans right here in our backyard, and many of them are going to be making the transition from military life to the civilian workforce. I think it's our responsibility to help them in that transition, and that's exactly what the program does.
As a participant, all you have to do is set aside your time to give the program participants an opportunity to see what the duties of a job are and mentor them, which includes looking over their resume and helping them determine what they need to do to get a job in their field of interest.
Through the program, Doering has been able to immerse herself in the real estate business, seeing all of the steps of a sale, from listing to the sale of a home.
"It's very exciting to be taking steps toward my future," she recently told me.
She is already starting to plan her post-military life. She's enrolled in real estate classes at MiraCosta College.
It's been a pleasure hosting Cpl. Doering, and her can-do attitude, her warmth and her positivity are remarkable.
With that I'd like to give KUDOS to Boots in Business and invite my fellow businesowners in the area to take part in the program. For more information, contact Military Mentoring Initiative Manager Madonna May at [email protected] or give her a call at 760-931-8400.
KUDOS to Tri-City Medical Center for being named one of the "100 Great Places to Work in Healthcare" by Becker's Hospital Review and Becker's ASC Review. The award recognizes workplaces that go "above and beyond" to keep their employees happy and motivated through robust benefits, opportunities for development and a strong sense of community.
KUDOS to Buena Vista Elementary School, which has been named a 2012 California Distinguished School. It is one of only 387 elementary schools across the state to be honored this year. A celebratory event co-hosted by the California Department of Education and San Diego County Office of Education will be held on the afternoon of May 23, 2012. That evening, from 5-8 pm, the Buena Vista community will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The plaque will be displayed and all are welcome to attend.
KUDOS to Grand Pacific Resort Management and West Inn & Suites for their recent awards. The American Resort Development Association recognized Grand Pacific Resort Management with 17 of its ARDY awards, while TripAdvisor named West Inn & Suites one of the Top 25 Small Hotels & Motels for Families in the U.S. and in the World.
Finally, KUDOS to the following Chamber members, who celebrated 15 or more years of being members of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce in March: American Cargoservice (15); Carlsbad Village Lock & Key (17); Chamberlain Property Management (17); Encinitas Union School District (18); GRC Management (25); Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (19); La Costa Valley Preschool & Kindergarten (21); Paul Laslo & Associates (22); Palomar Reprographics (25); Pelican Cove Bed & Breakfast Inn (25); Ramada Carlsbad by the Sea (25); Alan Rich & Associates, A Professional Law Corp. (27); Rotary Club of Carlsbad (25); San Diego County Credit Union (25); and the TaylorMade Golf Company (18).
Her name is Cpl. Alexandra Doering and she's from Boise, Idaho.
In 2008, fresh out of high school, she joined the U.S. Marines. She made the decision, she told me, because she knew she didn't want to go directly to college after graduation, and she wanted to make sure that once she was ready to go to back to school, she would be able to pay her own way.
Doering's family is involved in construction, and she served her country as a heavy equipment operator, working with bulldozers and front-end loaders performing road work, building bridges and other crucial infrastructure.
During her 4-year career in the Marines, which ends in August, Doering had two stints in Afghanistan, the first from December 2009 to June 2010 and the second from May to December of 2011, where she provided support in base operations for infantry units.
During this time, she also served on the Marine's Female Engagement Team, interacting with women and children in Afghanistan to gauge their feelings about numerous issues.
Soon, Doering, who lives in Vista, will enter the workforce. Her only previous work experience was as a waitress at IHOP in 2008. Now that she's leaving the service, she's looking to get into real estate.
I met Cpl. Doering through the Boots in Business, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce's Military Mentoring Initiative. For 30 days, she will be at The Lund Team office, shadowing members of my staff and I as we go along our daily routines.
Launched last fall, Boots in Business is a great Chamber program, one that I recommend to any businessowner and company. We have many great military veterans right here in our backyard, and many of them are going to be making the transition from military life to the civilian workforce. I think it's our responsibility to help them in that transition, and that's exactly what the program does.
As a participant, all you have to do is set aside your time to give the program participants an opportunity to see what the duties of a job are and mentor them, which includes looking over their resume and helping them determine what they need to do to get a job in their field of interest.
Through the program, Doering has been able to immerse herself in the real estate business, seeing all of the steps of a sale, from listing to the sale of a home.
"It's very exciting to be taking steps toward my future," she recently told me.
She is already starting to plan her post-military life. She's enrolled in real estate classes at MiraCosta College.
It's been a pleasure hosting Cpl. Doering, and her can-do attitude, her warmth and her positivity are remarkable.
With that I'd like to give KUDOS to Boots in Business and invite my fellow businesowners in the area to take part in the program. For more information, contact Military Mentoring Initiative Manager Madonna May at [email protected] or give her a call at 760-931-8400.
KUDOS to Tri-City Medical Center for being named one of the "100 Great Places to Work in Healthcare" by Becker's Hospital Review and Becker's ASC Review. The award recognizes workplaces that go "above and beyond" to keep their employees happy and motivated through robust benefits, opportunities for development and a strong sense of community.
KUDOS to Buena Vista Elementary School, which has been named a 2012 California Distinguished School. It is one of only 387 elementary schools across the state to be honored this year. A celebratory event co-hosted by the California Department of Education and San Diego County Office of Education will be held on the afternoon of May 23, 2012. That evening, from 5-8 pm, the Buena Vista community will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The plaque will be displayed and all are welcome to attend.
KUDOS to Grand Pacific Resort Management and West Inn & Suites for their recent awards. The American Resort Development Association recognized Grand Pacific Resort Management with 17 of its ARDY awards, while TripAdvisor named West Inn & Suites one of the Top 25 Small Hotels & Motels for Families in the U.S. and in the World.
Finally, KUDOS to the following Chamber members, who celebrated 15 or more years of being members of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce in March: American Cargoservice (15); Carlsbad Village Lock & Key (17); Chamberlain Property Management (17); Encinitas Union School District (18); GRC Management (25); Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (19); La Costa Valley Preschool & Kindergarten (21); Paul Laslo & Associates (22); Palomar Reprographics (25); Pelican Cove Bed & Breakfast Inn (25); Ramada Carlsbad by the Sea (25); Alan Rich & Associates, A Professional Law Corp. (27); Rotary Club of Carlsbad (25); San Diego County Credit Union (25); and the TaylorMade Golf Company (18).