Jamie Trayer, Class of 2009, Castleton, VT

What are you up to?: I was recently hired as a Program Director for Rutland Recreation and Parks Department. In addition, I am the assistant and goalkeeper coach for Castleton University Women's soccer team. My program director position is very hands on and diverse; one of the main reasons I applied for the job. Currently I develop, direct, supervise and evaluate assigned program activities specific to two facilities within the city, Giorgetti Arena and White Pool. Girogetti Arena is a three season facility that converts from an indoor skate-park (summer), to an ice arena (winter) and then to a turf field (spring). White Pool is currently under a complete renovation and expected to open in June 2017! I also oversee the mountain biking programs, day camps, and adult athletic leagues. My job definitely keeps me on the toes with it's ever changing environment and circumstances, but it allows me to take a creative approach when researching current trends and developing new programming and facility updates. I feel like I need a climbing rope for this huge learning curve but I wouldn't have it any other way. It challenges me just as my athletes do coaching at the collegiate level.

In my spare time I am the part-time assistant and goalkeeper coach for the Castleton Women's Soccer Team. This is my third year with the program and I am hyped to see what this fall has to offer. We are bringing in one of our best recruiting classes yet, that not only offers great talent but phenomenal young women as well.

How'd you get here? I moved to VT just before the end of my undergraduate degree to finish an internship at Green Mountain College as their Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach. Upon completion, I "ski-bumed" it for a year, snowboarding at Killington Mountain while working at Darkside Snowboard Shop and Sun-up Bakery, both located on the Killington Access Road. I was just hanging out, living life, when I ran into one of my connections through Green Mountain College. I was told that the Graduate Assistant (GA) Women's Soccer Coach position unexpectedly opened and they needed someone to step in. Having a background of coaching and playing at the collegiate level, I applied and was hired that week. That opportunity was incredible. As a GA, I coached for their women's soccer team while pursuing my masters degree in Athletic Leadership. I just graduated this past May with a Masters in Athletic Administration. Due to my incredible relationship with my coaching staff and athletes, I decided to stay in the area post-grad and was offered a part-time coaching position for the Fall. Knowing that I was staying, I began searching for a job while I was interning at Middlebury College in Event Management this past spring. I happened upon the Program Director position three days before the deadline and applied. One thing lead to another and here I am!

What are your goals? Since I was young, my end goal has been to be happy in every aspect of my life. I don’t need to make millions of dollars or own pricey materialistic things to define my success or happiness. I’ve discovered that if I obtain a career that I love and am passionate about it, I’ll never have to work a day in my life. Right now, I am happy where I am. My job gives me opportunity to give back on a much larger scale. I get so much love and enjoyment seeing my athletes progress with a new skill. My position as a Program Director allows me to do just that for so many more people. I provide people with fun.

I would love to continue to excel within my coaching career as well. I currently hold two certifications in strength and conditioning and soccer and have goals to renew them annually. I would like to obtain my Level I, II and III Goalkeeping License from the National Soccer Coaches Association in America within the next year or so and obtain my National and Advanced National Goalkeeping Licenses within the next five years. We all have goals to travel and see the world, so in time, that will present itself.

Advice for WHS Students? Breathe, trust yourself and take chances. Every opportunity that has presented itself to me since graduating college and moving to VT, has just happened. I never really had a "plan". It's okay to not know what is next and it's okay to be scared. Sometimes you just have to go with it. That's what I'm doing and the ride has been incredible. Work hard but make time for you. Remember that work is work and life is life. Do what you love and smile.

What are the ingredients for a perfect day? Sound sleep, delicious coffee, killer tunes, great company & spontaneous adventures (waking up to 24" of snow would be amazing as well *pow day*!)