Mankato Magazine: Q & A with Laura Diaz

Fri, May 16 2008

— Laura Diaz
City of residence: Mankato
Age: 25
How long have you lived in the area: 6 years
Education: Graduated from Minnesota State University with a major in mass communications, emphasis in public relations and news/editorial, and a minor in marketing
Job title: Program director
Work history: I have worked for the YMCA for 6 years and at Tourtellotte Pool for 4 years.
Married?: Single
Family: Parents, David and Toni Diaz, live in Winnebago

Introduction

Laura Diaz didn’t plan to end up at the YMCA.
Her plan was to work in the field of communications, marketing and graphic arts, some kind of job where she could be creative.
But years ago, when she saw an opening for a part-time job as a lifeguard/swim instructor at the Y, she had to take it. She had an athletic background, having been a cheerleader and member of the track team in high school, and she had always enjoyed being active.
As she spent time at the Y, she learned she could fulfill her career aspirations right there. She was using her communications skills and had many creative outlets in her various job capacities as building manager, lifeguard, swim instructor, preschool helper, child care helper, Kindergarten Plus aide and other positions where she was needed.
Now, as program director, she works with aquatics, youth sports, swim team, staff trainings for CPR, first aid and lifeguard training. She also in charge of promotion of the programs, answering questions, hiring staff, coordinating programs and other responsibilities.
In the end, the Y turned out to be the perfect fit for Diaz.

Q&A

Q: Working with programs like youth sports and aquatics, what are your objectives when working with children?
A: Making them comfortable and providing guidance through the activity and hopefully for the rest of their lives. We are aiming (to teach) life skills and to allow the children to have a good time while participating in an activity that they can use for the rest of their lives.

Q: Was there a program introduced that was surprisingly successful? 
A: Each program that we offer is successful in its own way. Getting children active and healthy is the main goal. We will be introducing a new program this fall aimed at the pre-teen and teen population called Guard Start. I am hoping that program will be a success.

Q: What is your favorite program to work with at the Y? 
A: Preschool activities whether that be with aquatics or youth sports. I love to see the children’s faces when they have finally got it (the activity they are working on).

Q: What’s the most popular program? 
A: We see the most consistent participants in our swimming lessons program, but all programs are successful as long as the children are learning.

Q: Is there a little known program at the Y that should be more popular than it is?
A: The LaCrosse program was first implemented last year and is slow to take off, but there is growing interest in the community and I believe the program will take off when it becomes more prominent in the schools.

Q: What would you like to see the Y offer in the future?  
A: We are implementing the Guard Start Program to help prepare and spark interest in lifeguarding.  
Otherwise we are just working to expand our current programs and make them more appealing to all children in our community.

Q: What’s the best part about your job?
A: The members and the kids. I enjoy working with the children and seeing them excel from lesson to lesson or from sport to sport.

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