You all have no idea how long I’ve wanted to share news like this.  On December 1st 2009 the reality of what many people do day in and day out hit me like a TON of bricks. I was no longer an assistant to one of the biggest names in sports, I was now one of about 6,000 new employees at Aria Resort and Casino.  It was my very first day of a real job where I had to clock in and clock out and wear a uniform.  At the time I felt like this JOB had taken something away from me, like I was just another face among many, the first 6 months flew by and I quickly got accustomed to the day in and day out routine of what many people do for years.  I dealt with irritable guests, people catching attitudes with me for things that had nothing to do with me, disrespectful customers you name it I can tell you some stories.  But what else was I to expect, I was a Front Desk Agent at a 4,004 room hotel that was part of one of the most ambitious projects in Las Veags, “City Center Las Vegas”.  

In addition to the front desk I also maintained additional income and networking opportunities, by assisting pro athletes and other VIPs with booking reservations at various locations in Las Vegas and I also began working with The Movement Las Vegas booking hosts for their events.  Needless to say, I kept myself busy, but I knew there was more.  In January of 2011 a year and a few months after I first started working at the front desk I was offered a promotion to work in the front desk back office with groups and conventions.  I dealt with clients from Nike and Hewlett Packard to Jimmy Johns and Quiznos, it also allowed me an opportunity to network with people outside of my department.  After working a year at the group desk I reached out to a previous manager and expressed interest in special events, a few weeks later I interviewed for a position as a Special Events Coordinator at Aria…..I didn’t get the job.  Feeling like I needed to spread my wings, I applied for a 12 week management program for MGM resorts International called “Aspire”, interviewed…wasn’t selected.  

While both of these situations were a blow to me, I knew I was destined for more and that the only thing I could do was pick myself up and try again. In January of 2012 I was selected to be in the second Aspire class, a small victory, but validation that I was moving in the right direction.  Part of the Aspire program was to be assigned a mentor in the department you expressed interest in, I was paired with the Director of Special Events for Aria, the department that I had interviewed with a year earlier and not gotten the job.  When I found this out I had mixed emotions and a spirit of bitterness peaked its head, but instead of  being upset and salty lol, I decided to take this new opportunity in stride and gain as much knowledge as I could.  My mentor introduced me to VP’s of departments, and I was able to work hands on with Special Events throughout the 12 week program.  When the program was over, my mentor sent me an email lead on another special events position, I interviewed again and again….didn’t get the job.   Once the program was over I still sought out opportunities to work with the Special Events team, sometimes after working 8 hours at my job and on my days off to get more experience, and to show my interest was real.  While all of this was happening colleagues in my department started to get other jobs (there were only 4 of us 2 left) and Brandy was still in the same position. I was even favored to become a manager at the desk, but something told me to be still and patient and that it wasn’t time to move.  Don’t get me wrong I liked my job, but I have a passion for event execution.  

On June 6th, that Special Events Coordinator position came available again, the one I wasn’t quite ready for a year earlier.  It had been almost a month before I heard anything, then finally, the same week that front desk manager position became available I got a call for an interview!  I went thru 3 interviews for the Special Events position, and Thursday was asked why I hadn’t signed up for the manager position at the front desk that was open.  With neither position being guaranteed I signed up for the manager position.  During my interview for the manager position on Monday 08/06, I informed the manager interviewing me of the fact that i was waiting to hear back from special events.  She asked me, “If you were offered that position and this manager position today, which one would you take?”.  In that moment I knew I had to be truthful and with no hesitation I told her I’d go with Special Events.  So today 08/07, thru rejection I was able to persevere and show that I was ready to take on a new responsibility as the newest Special Events Coordinator at Aria Resort and Casino and I was offered the job.  I say all this to say that thru all of this I had down days, but one thing I always tried to do, was not take  not being selected or being the right candidate at the time personal.  I can say that without a supportive management staff at the front desk and supportive co-workers, colleagues, friends and family, I may have given up and accepted defeat on December 1st of 2009 .  When I decided that my time as an assistant was over, I could have moved back to Michigan and to be honest I would have never in a million years been able to tell that version of myself about the experiences I’ve had over the past 3 years with out her looking at me like I was crazy!

 At times it gets very difficult living in a place with no relatives,  but sometimes the only way to grow is to go to the edge and jump, alone.  I still haven’t landed, but this is only the end of the first chapter of many and I look forward to sharing much more!  You can do anything you put your heart and mind to and someday my story will be told, this is the beginning.  In addition to this job, I’m continuing and still have my own business and that’s poppin too!

Thank You for your time and support….

B.Known

Posted by alwaysbknown in Uncategorized