Job Title: International Snow Chasing Liaison/ In-between Counselor
Employer: Windells Ski and Snowboard Camp
Years on snow: 2 sticks for 6 years, 1 stick for 13.
Days on snow: Definitely more than one…
Currently Riding: …as casually reckless as possible. Oh you want a brand? Gnu, Ladies Choice
Currently I am: Wondering if the little black bits in bananas could be tarantulas eggs…
Shay: Tell us a little bit about yourself
Stephanie: My name is Stephanie Sue, I am 23 years from the starting line, and I cried the first time I saw the Lion King. I recently watched it again and was able to hold myself together. When I’m not snowboarding, you can find me getting my swell on at the gym, skateboarding at the nearest skatepark (locals only bro) or pretending to be a singer songwriter with my trusty guitar, Cameron.
Shay: How has snowboarding changed your life?
Stephanie: How did my life change my life? Wait… I don’t understand the question.
Shay: How did you get your start in the industry, who or what opened up more opportunities for you?
Stephanie: I cant pin point a one singular moment… But I do remember the moment I knew that all I wanted to do was snowboard. I was 17, a camper at Windells. My coach, Adam sang “Don’t Stop Believin'” every day on-hill. Sounds silly, but I had an epiphany thanks to the musical stylings of Journey, and I knew that if I could be as happy my whole life as I was that entire week… I wouldn’t do anything else.
Shay: How has your previous education or work experience helped you in your current job?
Stephanie: I studied at 3 different colleges for 3 different semesters and couldn’t settle down. I decided I’ll (probably) always have my brain but I gotta use my youthful joints while I’ve got them. I’ve always loved working with kids, and getting to do it in an industry I love, is a great way to pay the bills. I’ve been a nanny, a counselor, a coach, and a sister. Really the only way you get better at working with kids is to work with kids. Simple enough.
Shay: Tell us about your role as an in-between counselor at Windells and a description of the work you do?
Stephanie: Here at camp the staff has two days off between sessions. The kids that are here for two sessions need that adult supervision during those two days off. My partner in crime, Katiah, and I have the pleasure of seeing to it that these kids have a great time. We go to into Portland, go shopping, visit waterparks, take trips to the coast, go rafting, hiking, camping, and sometimes even shredding. We get to plan, budget, and indulge in the trips and bomb dinners out. On our 6 days off… we shred! Couldn’t ask for a better job.
Shay: If you had to make up a job title that most accurately described what you REALLY do, what would it be?
Stephanie: Fun Optimization Strategist
Shay: Describe the craziest day/moment you’ve had at your job?
Stephanie: Once we thought we lost a camper. We were back from dinner for about 2 hours before we realized it. We had done a head count before leaving the last place we were at, so we knew he was at camp somewhere. Spent about 35 mins looking for him only to realize he had fallen asleep in the van courtesy of a Marley Mellow Mood. That stuff is magic.
Shay: What are some memorable experiences from working in the industry?
Stephanie: If it weren’t for the industry, I probably wouldn’t have seen half the places I’ve seen, met half the friends I’ve met, done half the things I’ve done, or have half the things I have… All in all, too many memorable experiences thanks to snowboarding.
Shay: What do you think are the biggest challenges that the snowboard industry faces and what changes would you like to see for the future?
Stephanie: I don’t know about any of that… I’m jussss tryin’a snowboard maaaaaan…
Shay: What advice would you give to people wanting to work in the industry?
Stephanie: Do it, you wont?
Find out more:
Facebook: StephanieSueFeld
Twitter: @stephaniefeld
Instagram: Stephaniesuefeld