Lifeguard

Madison Lawrence, a sophomore studying geography and climate science, has worked as a lifeguard at Rec Sports for the past two years. This fall, she attended the Career Crossroads Site Visit at the Portland Air National Guard Base. She went on a ride-along in an air-to-air refueling tanker, witnessing F-15 Eagles being refueled over Astoria, Oregon.

Career Crossroad Site Visits are part of a Rec Sports program to provide career development and networking opportunities to student employees. Recreational Sports is the second-largest student employer on campus, behind UHDS, so it is important career-readiness opportunities are offered to students. Miles Dodge, Rec Sports’ Student Initiatives Coordinator, leads the program to encourage student employees to explore career options through connecting with Rec Sports alums. These Alumni invite and host small groups of OSU students for tours at their current employment sites. Dodge, who is a Captain in the Air National Guard, led this site visit and was able to connect Lawrence with numerous organizations from TriMet, ODOT, and various military branches. “Along with showing appreciation for our military service members, it was also an event for others to explore military-oriented careers from an enlisted and civilian standpoint,” Lawrence explains. “I was able to speak with a representative from each job department within the airbase and listen to their stories and experiences.”

Lawrence chose to attend this Career Crossroads Site visit because she intends to pursue a civilian career in the Department of Defence, or DOD, after college. Not knowing exactly what to expect, she went with an open mind. “I was curious about the military because I believe there’s a ton of negative stigma and misconceptions about it,” she says. “I didn’t want to make any assumptions without properly educating myself about it.”

The Site Visit prompted Lawrence to consider career options in the DOD. The ultimate goal, she says, is “an intelligence-based career with the United States government. I was inspired through the technical work that our government officials and military are capable of,” she says, and the site visit only furthered it. “Being able to talk with Captain Dodge and hear how he chose his path with the Air National Guard was great,” she says. “I heard of some great benefits involved [with the military], the unique knowledge that can be obtained, and how this path can build up my leadership skills. I opened myself up to new pathways and perspectives.” Lawrence left the sight visit considering Officer Training School or joining the Air National Guard after graduation.

Lawrence still has 2 more years of school until she graduates with her degree in geography and climate science, and intends to remain a student employee of Rec Sports until she does. “I enjoy the technical skills and fitness that come with being a lifeguard,” she says. “The environment set by my coworkers is just great.” For Madison Lawrence and many others, Rec Sports isn’t just a gym, but a place of opportunity, employment, health, and wellness.