Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/774279
38 / JANUARY.FEBRUARY.2017 USICERINKS.COM LEARNING CUR VE With little background for either of them, Keck and Wilson had to dive in and learn some extensive rink knowledge in order to get to where they are today. "I've learned an incredible amount, I mean going in from the very beginning of not knowing anything," said Keck. "Now I've been through all the U.S. Ice Rink Assoc. classes and a refresher on CIT. I've been to NARCE three or four times—I wanted to learn all that I could." Keck leaned on the knowledge she learned with U.S. Ice Rink Assoc. courses and her work ethic to get the job done. Her staff of 10 has also instrumental in her time at the facility. For Wilson, her background knowledge of community outreach and management was a big plus, not to mention her experience in the figure skating world. "When I took the job I really did not know much about compressors or ice resurfacers," she said. "I think I'm much more educated and can be a better manager to our user groups like the youth hockey and the figure skaters now that I have a better understanding how the facility and the mechanics of the facility run and that's evolved naturally." Wilson said she's been even more impressed with the knowledge that her staff gains while attending U.S. Ice Rink Assoc. courses and NARCE. With close to 40 employees she said it's important to her and the facility to have all employees certified —another helpful tool in furthering her own education, too. "Once [my employees] are certified, they come back and I sort of pick their brain and gain some knowledge that way," said Wilson. "I'm very impressed with all that they learn and even more impressed when they can teach me, too." ALWAYS ROOM FOR MORE While the number of females in the industry continues to grow, Wilson and Keck agree that there can always be more women in the field. So what advice would they give in order to help make that happen? "In my own mind I don't see jobs as being very gender-specific, so this one "IT WASN'T UNTIL I WAS IN AND GOING TO UNITED STATES ICE RINK ASSOCIATION CLASSES THAT I REALIZED I WAS THE ONLY WOMAN—I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE HOW MALE-DOMINATED IT IS. I WOULD SAY [TO WOMEN WANTING TO GET INTO THIS INDUSTRY] JUST DON'T BE INTIMIDATED BY THAT."