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Tina Drew transitioned from dietary aide to activity director
Former administrator encouraged her to try the job
1/25/2012
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Deb Bartlett
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Tina Drew with resident Madeline Kearney at Hawaiian Day.
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After a dozen or so years working in the kitchen of Residence on the Thames in Chatham, Tina Drew was facing a reduction in hours.
She let her boss know that for financial reasons she was looking for another job, and he encouraged her to try the activity director position.
“I was nervous because I’m kind of shy and in this job you can’t be shy,” says Drew.
The administrator of Residence on the Thames had faith in her.
“I didn’t want to let him down. He was very supportive. All the management was very supportive,” says Drew.
She says the support of her colleagues made the transition smooth.
“He said to do the job as a trial and see how you like it. It went really well, and here I am.”
Drew was 19 years old when she started working at the Steeves & Rozema retirement residence as a dietary aide.
She had taken time off to go back to school to take office administration, and those computer skills are useful in her current job, she says.
Drew says most of her learning has taken place on the job and she takes it upon herself to learn about the position.
She says there is a group of activity directors that meets alternate months, and she has found that group to be a great resource.
Group members work for a number of companies several towns.
Drew also attends conventions and takes advantage of the networking and learning opportunities there.
In addition to the faith her former administrator put in her, Drew says she’s seen other cases of Steeves & Rozema employees being promoted from within.
She has seen kitchen staff go back to school and return as frontline staff providing health care and knows placement students have been hired once they’ve graduated.
Drew says her favourite part of her job is being with the residents and learning from them.
“I like hearing their stories,” she says.
To comment on this story, contact Deb at 800-294-0051, ext. 30, or e-mail deb(at)axiomnews.ca.
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