My host’s name: Jason Schabler (my father)
THE INTERVIEW
1. What is your job title?
Sales/ product consultant at Longlife Windows and Doors
2. What is your job description?
Consult homeowners on their energy efficient window and door projects
3. What are the duties and/or tasks you perform at your job? In home consultations
4. What qualifications do you have for this job in the following areas:
• Training?
Costumer relationship management, business administration, CRM program, knowledgeable in Microsoft utilities
• Education?
Highschool graduation
• Experience?
25+ years of customer service management
• Skills and attributes
(personal qualities) time management, B-B and B-C management, deep interpersonal skills
5. What are some things you like about the job?
Helping homeowners improve their home via saving money by energy efficient products and services, and the workplace environment
6. What are some thing you dislike about this job?
Travel time, being at jobsites in bad weather
7. How would you anticipate this job changing in the next few years or so?
more use of social media and virtual reality
STUDENT REFLECTION
1. Give three reasons why you would like this job:
• Helping the environment with ecofriendly products
• Helping others improve their health and lifestyle with efficient products
• Creating sustainable, healthy, and stable living environments for other people in the community/Port Coquitlam
2. Give three reasons why you would not like this job:
• Interaction with other people (talking) because of my shy and introverted nature
• Disagreements with customers (such as them not being satisfied with their products or complaining about my performance as a sales person)
• Calculations (as my father often measures windows and doors, and rounds out the total cost for everything the customer wants. ) I am not very strong at math; nor estimating or quick mental math.
3. Is this job for you? Why or why not?
Unfortunately, it is not. I lack mathematical and social skills required for this job (such as quick mental math and communication). I am very shy and awkward with stranger, which would not be convenient if I wanted someone to buy my products; but fail to deliver a convincing speech or conversation. I am also not as passionate about this job; even in this field or work. I am very interested in becoming some sort of artist one day, so this job is not for me.
4. Explain the value of TOKTWD experience in relation to your ideas about your post secondary plans?
It was very exciting to see what my dad does in person; he always told me what he did at work, but seeing it in real time was a whole other experience. I got to see how Longlife manufacture their windows, and learned about how their windows and doors were more ecofriendly, longer lasting, and energy efficient than other companies. Although I had an incredible experience, this trip also strengthened my plans for what I wanted to do with my future. I always wanted to be an artist since I was a kid; but I believe it is ultimately the career path I want to take. I may not be able to explain myself to customers as a salesperson, but I can express myself with my art much better. I would like to say I am a very skilled artist for my age; with experience with many mediums including paints, sculpting, digital and traditional artwork, dance, acting, and many more. It was inspiring to see my dad talk about what he was passionate about and how he chose this job; and he encouraged me to find a career that made me happy, and not just a good paying one. He told me that his regret about his past jobs is that he could never enjoy them, because he only worked for money; but not his own wants. I believe that taking fine arts as a career path will be enjoyable and well paying as well. I hope to study at Emily Carr University, but I am keeping my mind open for other art schools in other countries as well. I think it might be hard to study continuously away from my family, but I’m sure it will be worth the travel. Art is also a very flexible career path. I can study at a university while creating and selling my own artwork online (a freelance artist), and I have heavily considered becoming a graphic artist and a logo designer. The graphic industry is becoming increasingly popular in this day and age of rising technology; so, this will be a good opportunity.
