Future takes downhill slope for Buettner
Published Thursday, May 29, 2008
Skiing has always been a passion for Jacob Buettner, who graduates this Friday from Fergus Falls High School.
“I’ve been skiing since I’ve been walking,” Buettner said.
During high school — when he wasn’t playing the role of “super fan” at Fergus Falls sporting events — he was practicing and competing with fellow skiers on the Lakes Area Alpine ski team.
When it came time to decide what the next step along his path would be, he immediately thought of a career in the ski industry.
He toyed with the idea of majoring in marketing, and applying that knowledge to the ski scene, but still wasn’t entirely convinced that it was the best way to break into the industry.
When his father, who is the manager of Andes Tower Hills in Alexandria, pointed out a flyer for a Ski Area Management Program at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, Mich, he knew it was the perfect fit.
“As soon as I heard about it, I was sold on it,” Buettner said.
The two-year course is one of two programs like it in the country. Buettner will spend the first year in the classroom, and the majority of the second year interning at a ski resort in Colorado, Utah, Vermont, California or the midwest.
“If I could end up anywhere, I’d like to end up at a smaller ski hill in Colorado,” Buettner said.
Buettner will have the option of transferring credits from his two year degree to Northern Michigan University in Marquette, where he could pursue his bachelors degree in Ski Area Business Management.
Buettner said he’ll assess the job market when he’s done with the two-year program and, if need be, he’ll go on to Marquette.
Buettner will apply his boisterous personality to his new career, which may help him out in the long run. He’s not afraid of the cold, and definitely isn’t afraid of looking silly in an effort to stay warm.
He’s also entering the program with a few years of experience under his belt.
Since he was 15, he’s spent time working at Andes Tower Hills. He said he wanted to get a feel for all aspects of the ski industry, so he spent time working in lift operations, rentals, sales, the pro-shop and is certified in ski patrol.
The skiing program Buettner is entering will expand his knowledge in those areas, and provide him an avenue to put his life-long passion to good use.
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