Meet Holly, one of our student counselors here at TakeLessons! Originally from Ohio, Holly moved to San Diego last fall and joined the TakeLessons team in April 2010. As a student counselor, she has the opportunity to interact with students and parents every day to help them schedule music lessons!
What do you like about working at TakeLessons?
I love the “family” feel we have here. It’s not just a job – it’s a career, a team and a family! I look forward to coming in every day and talking to my “family” and hearing about all the exciting things they have going on. Whether it be professionally or personally!
What is your favorite thing about your job as a student counselor?
I love working with my team each day. They are motivating, inspiring and such a great group of people to work with. We are all passionate about music in one way or another, so that makes for an incredible dynamic! I also really enjoy talking to our potential and current students as well. Since we are a nationwide company, it’s really fun to talk to people all over the country each day. I love hearing about things going on in each city.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I really wanted to be a nurse when I was really little. Then I “shadowed” a nurse in 7th grade for a school project and passed out cold on the ER floor! I was terrified of blood. Since that didn’t work out so well, I then wanted to be a professional cheerleader all throughout my middle school and high school years. I finally did accomplish that goal – I cheered for almost 10 years for the Arena Football League (AFL), National Football League (NFL) and also National Hockey League (NHL).
Where are you from originally, and what do you like about living in San Diego?
I am originally from Dublin, Ohio (a suburb of Columbus). I am an Ohio State Buckeye at heart! GO BUCKS! 🙂 I loved growing up in the Midwest, but I am really enjoying living in San Diego. Going from cornfields to the beach is a big change. San Diego is so beautiful and walking along the beach is one of my favorite things to do. I also love going to all the fun festivals around the city. This weekend I will be hitting up the “Oysterfest” and the fair that’s in town!
What activities are you passionate about outside of work?
Do you have any musical experience or play any instruments?
I just laughed about this last night with my mom. I posted something on my Facebook about taking Bass Guitar lessons with one of our instructors and she commented and said “I hope you have better luck than the oboe. And I am glad that your dad and I aren’t there to hear you practice!” I was required to play an instrument in 7th grade, so I picked the oboe. I am not sure why, I just thought it sounded fun! As you can probably tell from my mom’s comment, that didn’t work out so well. I am determined to rock out these Bass lessons though! Wish me luck!
What are one professional goal and one personal goal that you hope to achieve this year?
One professional goal I have for this year is raising my goal number/stats each and every week – CANI (Constant and Never-Ending Improvement)! I also want to become a leader on my team and constantly be pushing them to be their very best! A personal goal I have is to volunteer on a regular basis. Social work was my major in college, so I am passionate about helping others in need. I want to be able to devote at least an hour or two each week to a specific cause!
What is the best place you’ve traveled to (or the place you’d love to go to)?
I absolutely loved Aruba! I traveled there with my family when I was in college. We took this “Banana Bus” tour and it was one of the most fun times I ever had! The entire 5 hour tour we were singing, shaking maracas and dancing in our seats! We also went snorkeling in the most clear blue water you have ever seen! If you ever get a chance to go to Aruba…take the Banana Bus tour! 🙂 One place I have always been dying to visit is Italy! The history, food, wine…you can’t go wrong!
Check back every Friday for a new profile on one of our TakeLessons Team members!
ksurmacewicz