Interview with Caitlin Alexis

October 2022

My name is Caitlin Alexis, and I am a second year TOM/EBZ student! I am originally from Brookfield, Wisconsin, and moved out to Pomona about a year ago to attend Cal Poly and play on the Women's soccer team. I was drawn to Cal Poly by how technical and accepting the school is. I also loved the on-campus gym and knew before I arrived that I wanted to work there!

I've been working at the Bronco Recreation and Intramural complex (BRIC) for a little over a year and started as a front desk attendant. As of August, I stepped up to the Member Services Supervisor position. I absolutely love the department and there are new challenges every day that keep me invested in the work I do.

The member services department is responsible for running the front desk at the BRIC. We are the first impression of the facility as members enter, and it is our responsibility to ensure a positive experience for all members. The department also is in charge of running the pro shop, which is a place for patrons of the BRIC to purchase any goods they may need for their visit, such as deodorant or shorts.

As a supervisor, I am in charge of the implementation of programs into our website for students, faculty, and staff to join. Some of the programs we put up include scuba, adventures, and group fitness. Our front desk staff is responsible for staying knowledgeable on all these programs and relaying the information on any specific program to interested members.

Students most commonly ask about the variety of programs that ASI has to offer. There are hundreds of different programs that students may join during the academic year. There are even overnight camping trips and scuba certifications that anyone affiliated with Cal Poly Pomona may sign up for!

Another common question we receive is about our guest pass policy. Anyone with a membership to the BRIC is permitted to bring in two guests during their visit for a fee. Also, alumni or faculty of Cal Poly are also permitted to purchase guest passes instead of the semester long membership.

Advice

Take risks! I have always been the youngest in any position I've been offered, and if I never took the chance to apply, I would not be in the position I am in now. The member services supervisor position has taught me many different skills that I will continue to apply to future jobs and internships. If I had not made the decision to move from Wisconsin to California or put myself out there to apply to a job on a campus that I had not previously visited, I would not be in the position I am in now.

Another piece of advice I can offer is to work on soft skills! I've found that improving my soft skills allowed me to collaborate with others easily; and has made it easy to land jobs/internships that other candidates may have been more qualified for.