A Little History:
I'm 32 years old and a
former full-time eventing professional. I've run my own competitive business,
worked in beginner programs, worked as an assistant, a groom and been a working
student. I've competed to the CIC*** level of the sport on a couple of different
horses, I won the NAJYRC at the CCI* and CCI** level and I made the USET High
Performance list a number of times. I also have a master’s degree in industrial
organizational psychology and an employment history that is as long as it is
varied. I have lived in 8 states and spent time in most of the others and I
enjoy psychology, politics, business, and anything that involves greenery and
humidity.
Two years ago, I
decided, while sitting in a twin sized bed in a house I didn't own in South
Florida, listening to the rain against the window, that I didn't want to be a
horse professional anymore. I had been sexually harassed, fired (always the
wrong way and usually publicly), treated unkindly and been straight up slave
labor. I am a hard worker, a decent person and a good rider. But I didn’t
really have a cent to my name, I was exhausted and I no longer saw a light at
the end of the tunnel. I was overworked, underappreciated and unfulfilled. I
wrote a blog (original version - somewhat angry) that turned into an article
for the Chronicle of the Horse and also pissed a lot of people off. It is still
one of my favorite accomplishments. Not because of what I said but because of
the choice I finally made. I’m sure almost every aspiring young horse pro has
had that internal battle.
Present Day:
I look around now, after
a year of working in corporate America, and my world is very different. I own a
lot of things now, it’s true, including my very own horse (Levity) which I
bought and pay for myself. But that’s not what has really changed. I now
understand how the majority of people live their lives with 8 to 5 working
hours, weekends off, dinner at home, vacation days, sick days and, of course,
feeling like you’re part of the corporate machine. It’s an interesting switch
of lifestyle and as I reconsider entering the professional eventing world
full-time I’m grateful for the new perspective I have.
I work for a behavioral
health facility for children and adolescents in Albuquerque, NM, as the
director of admissions, utilization review and assessment. We have 120
residential treatment center beds, 40 group home beds and a fairly extensive
outpatient day treatment program of about 60 clients. I started working for
this company as an unpaid human resources intern. Although I was highly
educated my work history was overwhelmed with activities of the equine variety
and unfortunately corporate America has no use for that specific set of skills
(they should). Within two weeks I had picked up paid hours in reception which
was a complete trip and an awesome learning experience. They transitioned me to
HR full time a couple of months later. Three months after that I was
transitioned into the position of the placement coordinator four our treatment
foster care sister company and then three months after that, boom - Director.
All inside of a year. Insert horrified face here (really the worst part of
corporate America is having to put makeup on everyday - such a waste of time).
When I set foot in this position our census was the lowest it has been in
decades. My second week on the job I had to cut the hours of half of my staff.
It became very clear that without butts in beds this company was not going to
survive and although I started working for this company because I wanted to
help mentally ill kids, my main function was now to bankroll the facility. Welcome
to corporate America.
Because no passionate
event rider can ever really give it up, and because Albuquerque, NM isn't a
hotspot for eventing action, I've also accumulated several students who I help
on the weekends. Everyone needs a second "fun" job in addition to
their 50 hour a week day job, right? I thought I would never work
professionally in the horse world again but it turns out I still love it. I
love it even more now that the daily grind behind my desk is incredibly
stressful and all too important. All of a sudden that not so perfect ride I had
just doesn’t matter much. I deal in sick, abused and dangerous kids. A whole
new world.
What I’ve Learned:
I've learned a lot in
the last year. My perspective has changed pretty drastically when it comes to a
lot of things. It's also funny what hasn't changed.
I still believe there
are a lot of advantages to a corporate job:
- Benefits: Vacation days, personal days, sick days and a work week that is within reason no matter what happens.
- A certain level of professionalism is required and if it is not displayed you can do something about it. People do not just get fired at random (with the exception of layoffs). There are things like written warnings, corrective action plans and a certain level of civility.
- Weekends. Who doesn't love weekends?
- A climate-controlled environment. Yup. Enough said.
- A consistent paycheck.
- Feeling like you've done important work. Now this isn't every job, of course, but despite the stress and sometimes the trauma my job often takes on me, we are helping kids who need it most. And by need it I mean need shelter, food, education and kindness – Not a new pony. Let that rattle around in your head for a minute.
There are also
disadvantages:
- At the director level (so you’re finally making money) the company does own you somewhat. It's your head on the chopping block and working 40 hours a week is rare.
- Vacation days are limited so getting the time you need to horse show is a logistical challenge (especially in a place like Albuquerque). I think this is the biggest challenge for a competitive horse person.
- Making $50 an hour in corporate America is harder than you think! $50 an hour in the horse world is standard.
- It's definitely work - You won't love every minute of it. And some days you will hate it.
Essentially, having gone
a completely different way with my work has made me love the horses more and
appreciate the business I had and the lifestyle I lead. I think one day I might
go back to the full-time horse pro gig, but on my terms. And as I've said
before - You have to find a way to fund that dream and hard work alone is not
enough. Luck and money are always involved and unfortunately those two things
are often the determining factor between success and failure. If that statement
rubs you the wrong way you likely lead a life of privilege and haven't fully
realized it. That's OK - It took me a while too.
The Goal:
The goal is to run a
successful horse business that actually runs like a business. We all know that
the professional horse industry has become this no holds barred, no official
rules, hobby type production that people make money off of but refuse to run
like a business. As a result, the industry faces major issues like rapid
employee turnover, employee neglect, sexual harassment and even more normal
things like simply not turning a profit. Why? NO – It’s not because this is the
way the horse industry is and will always be. That’s some stereotypical, change
resistant, old-school talk right there. And it’s not because horse pros are all
slave driving, power hungry, jerks (I mean some are but…. Don’t be that person).
I honestly believe it is because most horse pros just don’t know better. So,
I’m here to help with that.
Topics to be Covered:
1. The Job Ad (Not from hell…)
2. The Job Description (Yes – You have to do this)
3. The Interview (Shocker – It’s paid)
4. Selecting the Right Employees (Not the first
person who tentatively says yes)
5. Keeping the Right Employees (This is the money
entry right here)
a. Part A: Incentives/Benefits (Them)
b. Part B: Management Training (You)
6. The Numbers & Payment (Please god tell me
your employees actually make money)
7. Write-Ups & Corrective Action Plans (Also
have to do this – You’ll thank me later)
8. How to Term an Employee (There is DEFINITELY a
right and a wrong way)
Until next time,
Jessica
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