by downtownkamloops | Feb 24, 2022 | CAP Team, CAP Team: Where Are They Now, News
WHERE ARE THEY NOW SERIES: JON GEORGE
A CAP TEAM ALUMNI SERIES
For the Where are they Now Series we interview Jon George. We took some time to get an insight into his role as a past cappie.
What year were you a CAP Team Member?
September 2016-March 2021
Tell us about your career path since leaving the CAP Team.
I left the team to join the newly re-designed Community Service Officer position with the City of Kamloops.
What were your career goals when you started with the CAP Team?
My goal was to get into policing/law enforcement, and I needed more experience assisting the public out in the streets.
How do you feel your experience on the CAP Team helped you achieve your goals?
By collaborating with many different organizations, including the RCMP, the CAP Team allowed me to interact with all downtown patrons, from affluent business owners to honest, hard-working people down on their luck.
What was the most valuable skill learned on the job?
The most valuable skill was learning how downtown operates and meeting the great people who help put it all together, in and out of the spotlight.
What was your favourite part of the program?
For me, it was biking and being out in the community as an ambassador for downtown and either directly assisting or phoning the powers that be depending on the situation.
What kind of unique experiences do you have?
Being the longest working Cappie, for now, I have seen the program shift and change shape to meet the communities needs, from leadership changes to physical office spaces.
What was your favourite event that Downtown Kamloops organized?
Definitely the Block Party Series, but also all of the events we put on. It was a nice sense of accomplishment putting in the work behind the scenes and then come event day seeing the public enjoy what we helped create.
What is your favourite store downtown?
If it’s not a cop-out answer, everyone! 😉
Did you use to work for the CAP Team? Interested in having a feature for our alumni series? Send us an email at capteam@downtownkamloops.com to be involved! For more of the Where Are They Now Series, go to www.downtownkamloops.com/news-and-blog-downtown-kamloops/where-are-they-now/.
by downtownkamloops | Jun 26, 2020 | CAP Team, CAP Team: Where Are They Now, News
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? A CAP TEAM ALUMNI SERIES
Today we have an interview with past Cappie, Rory McKerchar!
What year were you a CAP Team Member?
- I was a CAP Team member over the Summer of 2013
Tell us about your career path since leaving the CAP Team
- I worked on the CAP team the summer before starting my Bachelor of Science at Thompson Rivers University. Since leaving the CAP team I completed my B.Sc. in Chemical Biology and worked for a couple of years in Kamloops. During that time, I worked teaching chemistry labs at TRU, as a youth worker for the Boys and Girls Club, and as a lab technician at ALS Metallurgy. This year I started my first year of medical school at the University of British Columbia.
What were your career goals when you started with the CAP Team?
- When I started with the CAP team, I was not 100% sure of what I wanted to do. I had not started university yet, but I was planning on doing a year of sciences at TRU before switching into the nursing program.
How do you feel your experience on the CAP Team helped you achieve your goals?
- The CAP team was a great summer job for me. I think it looked good for my job and school applications, while also providing me with some great talking points for job interviews etc. Besides this, working on the CAP team was a lot of fun. It was great working outside for the summer and it was an excellent opportunity to get outside, meet visitors to Kamloops’ Downtown
What was the most valuable skill learned on the job?
- While working as part of the CAP team I believe I developed great customer service and communication skills. Prior to my role on the CAP team, I had never worked in an environment where those skills were requirements. In retrospect, I am very thankful for the experience, as those skills have been very helpful in other workplaces, I have been apart of as well as in the university environment.
What was your favourite part of the program?
- My favourite part of the program was the opportunity to work outside during the summer. There is always a lot going on downtown in Kamloops during the summer and it was fun being a part of a lot of it. I also really enjoyed the biking and walking patrols, helping organize events, and talking to visitors to Kamloops.
What kind of unique experiences do you have?
- A unique experience I had while working for the CAP team was meeting Justin Trudeau at Riverside Park a few years before he became Prime Minister in 2015.
What was your favorite event that Downtown Kamloops organized?
- My favourite event organized by Downtown Kamloops was the Taste of Downtown event.
What is your favorite store in downtown?
- My favourite place downtown is Motivo! Great coffee and great pie!
Did you use to work for the CAP Team? Interested in having a feature for our alumni series? Send us an email at capteam@downtownkamloops.com to be involved! For more of the Where Are They Now Series, go to www.downtownkamloops.com/news-and-blog-downtown-kamloops/where-are-they-now/.
by downtownkamloops | Sep 8, 2019 | CAP Team: Where Are They Now
Where Are They Now?
Where Are They Now Series: History of the CAP Team
WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
Jackie Rechenmacher
WHAT YEAR WERE YOU A CAP TEAM MEMBER?
2015
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER PATH SINCE LEAVING THE CAP TEAM.
After the CAP team, I worked within corporate sales. I then moved into an operations coordinator position with a tech-based startup. After a brief stint of traveling, I went back to my roots within the event sector. Currently, I assist show organizers with the planning and logistics of large scale trade shows in Calgary.
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB TITLE?
Account Manager at GES.
WHAT WERE YOUR CAREER GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED WITH THE CAP TEAM?
I wanted to learn how to apply my university education in the real world. So I was given the opportunity to apply my knowledge to practical situations. And I also wanted to learn how to work within the non-profit sector, and how I could create opportunities to make a change in my community.
HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE CAP TEAM HELPED YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS?
I believe the CAP team gave me the confidence and experience to do exactly what I am doing today. I am able to work with many different kinds of people, get the job done and do it all with a smile on my face.
WHAT WAS THE MOST VALUABLE SKILL LEARNED ON THE JOB?
I think the most valuable skill was patience and versatility. It’s critical to be versatile in today’s world, and from scrubbing off graffiti to planning the merchants market, to assisting with the visitor centre, you had to learn how to wear many hats and to be fluid between the changes.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE PROGRAM?
The community around the CAP team! You get to work with a great group of people who you become very close with, and you get to engage with the parts of the community that invoke change.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER CURRENT AND FUTURE CAP TEAM MEMBERS?
To get out there and create those relationships that you can utilize to better the community and to better your self.
Additionally, if you’re interested in booking the CAP team or finding more information about the CAP team, you can find out more here. You can find us on Facebook here.
by downtownkamloops | Aug 25, 2019 | CAP Team: Where Are They Now
Where Are They Now?
Where Are They Now Series
WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME?
Cameron Staff
WHAT YEAR WERE YOU A CAP TEAM MEMBER?
2014
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER PATH SINCE LEAVING THE CAP TEAM.
I completed my education at TRU in April 2016 and started working for an IT agency in Kamloops doing marketing. In fall 2018 I made the move to Victoria, BC where I am now doing marketing for a travel start-up & app.
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB TITLE?
Marketing Coordinator
WHAT WERE YOUR CAREER GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED WITH THE CAP TEAM?
To work in both the communications & tourism industries – mission accomplished!
HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE CAP TEAM HELPED YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS?
Being a part of the CAP Team taught me how to communicate effectively with community members on a large scale. It allowed me the opportunity to further develop my skills in writing, coordination & public speaking.
WHAT WAS THE MOST VALUABLE SKILL LEARNED ON THE JOB?
The most valuable skilled learned on the job was how to communicate effectively with community members on a large scale.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE PROGRAM?
Working outside during the summer months & the opportunities for community networking it allowed me.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER CURRENT AND FUTURE CAP TEAM MEMBERS?
Wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, have fun & be smart.
Additionally, if you’d like to learn more about the CAP team, you can find out more on our website here. Or check us out on Facebook here.
by downtownkamloops | Aug 11, 2019 | CAP Team: Where Are They Now
Where Are They Now?
Where Are They Now Series
WHAT YEAR WERE YOU A CAP TEAM MEMBER?
2017
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER PATH SINCE LEAVING THE CAP TEAM.
I have since gone on to work at Eureka! science camp in Kamloops BC. I also work while in school in a lab that studies Risky Behaviours and Borderline Personality Disorder that is run at UVic. My valuable time with the CAP team allowed me to develop the public speaking and confidence needed to work with people of all different backgrounds and deal with stressful situations as they arise.
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB TITLE?
I am currently a student and I am attending the University of Victoria. I am in the 3rd year of my degree, studying psychology. And I plan to graduate with honours and go on to attend graduate school where the goal is to become a pediatric clinical psychologist specializing in concurrent disorders.
WHAT WERE YOUR CAREER GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED WITH THE CAP TEAM?
My career goals when I started the CAP team were the same as they are now. I knew I wanted to be a pediatric clinical psychologist and I knew I wanted to work with at-risk individuals. Working with the CAP team allowed me to gain insight and knowledge into at-risk individuals in our society and which resources may best work for their rehabilitation and safety.
This insight is crucial going forward in my future career as I need to know how to work with those who come from all walks of life. This position taught me empathy and understanding for which I am eternally grateful.
HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE CAP TEAM HELPED YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS?
I feel the CAP team allowed me to explore my desire to work with at-risk populations. I loved getting to know the individuals of downtown Kamloops and hearing their stories was the highlight of my time on the CAP team. Also, the training I received about resources and how to deal with certain situations in regard to at-risk individuals prepared me for my future career path in mental health.
WHAT WAS THE MOST VALUABLE SKILL LEARNED ON THE JOB?
The most valuable skill learned on the job was how to engage with those who may be entirely different from yourself. Sometimes the thought of stepping out of your comfort zone and engaging in conversation with others who are unlike you can be scary, but it is so worth it. You will learn empathy and grow to see how everyone’s differences are why the world is so beautiful. The people I met while working at the CAP team have forever changed my outlook on life and I still think about them to this day.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE PROGRAM?
My favourite part of the program was getting to know all of the amazing people in downtown Kamloops! From business owners to the characters that hang out downtown there are so many amazing people to meet. They truly made the job spectacular as well as the comradery felt while being on the team!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER CURRENT AND FUTURE CAP TEAM MEMBERS?
I would offer to not be afraid to try new things. This job will make you step out of your comfort zone in more ways than one. You will have to be willing to expand your horizons and open up your heart to new situations. Sometimes the job may feel overwhelming and sometimes a sad situation will occur downtown, but you need to see these days as teaching experiences. I learned so much in my summer on the CAP team and I would trade any of that knowledge for the world.
Additionally, if you’re interested in learning more about the CAP team, check out our website here. Moreover, you can find us on Facebook here.
by downtownkamloops | Jul 21, 2019 | CAP Team: Where Are They Now
Where Are They Now?
Where Are They Now Series
WHAT YEAR WERE YOU A CAP TEAM MEMBER?
2005 and 2006
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER PATH SINCE LEAVING THE CAP TEAM.
I became the manager of a Provincial Park in Revelstoke during summers and worked the winters for a Heli-Ski operation. I gave up the park job last year but still work for the Heli-Ski company.
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB TITLE?
Guest Relations for a Heli-Ski company.
WHAT WERE YOUR CAREER GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED WITH THE CAP TEAM?
To find a job that didn’t feel like a job.
HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE CAP TEAM HELPED YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS?
It helped develop my public relations skills and opened many doors. A lot of opportunities came from interacting with so many people. It was a networking platform that helped me acquire several unique jobs.
WHAT WAS THE MOST VALUABLE SKILL LEARNED ON THE JOB?
I learned how to engage with people from all walks of life. From homeless drug addicts to International travelers, the job taught me social interaction skills that could break down barriers. You never know who you will meet in downtown Kamloops.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE PROGRAM?
Riding bikes through the parks on a warm summer night and talking to happy people. We explored every part of our jurisdiction on our bikes and found all sorts of unique people/places along the way.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER CURRENT AND FUTURE CAP TEAM MEMBERS?
Understand you have the ability to enhance the experience of countless visitors to downtown Kamloops. Strive to find ways to make that happen and put yourself out there.
Additionally, if you’d like to learn more about the CAP team, you can find information here. You can also find us on Facebook here.
