Marisol Ramirez
Marketing & Sales Manager
Hurricane Alley Waterpark
Corpus Christi, Texas - USA
Featured in "World Waterpark Magazine," March 2017
WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?
I am a student at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. I started my position at Hurricane Alley Waterpark in 2014, but prior to that I was involved with Earth Island Institute. There, I was in charge of public outreach for their shark and marine mammal protection programs.
WHAT CERTIFICATION OR LICENSING DO YOU HAVE?
I am a certified swim instructor through Swim Schools International. The certification allows me to teach children starting at 3 years old all the way up to junior Olympians. Eager to get back in the water, I also plan on attending NASCO Lifeguard Instructor School in the upcoming months!
WHAT HONORS, AWARDS OR SPECIAL RECOGNITION HAVE YOU ACHIEVED?
During my tenure at the park, Hurricane Alley Waterpark has received 4 WWA Wave Review awards for marketing excellence, and two of them for my social media campaigns.
WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD?
I was recommended for this position not being fully aware of all the waterpark industry had to offer. I have absolutely fallen in love with it over the past 3 years!
WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST?
The opportunity for growth. The industry does a great job at nurturing and providing opportunities for those who seek to make a career of it.
WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
Jim Kunau. Anyone who has met him can understand why. He aspires to be far more than just a boss to his employees. He in an exceptional leader, mentor and an absolute inspiration for the type of manager I seek to be day after day.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK CAREER?
I am a perfectionist, so I have found that my biggest challenge has been learning to manage the curve balls that life throws you when organizing events. They never go exactly as planned, but I’ve learned to adapt and roll with it. At the end of the day, I am the only one that notices if the napkins are the wrong shade of teal.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED?
Caffeine and to do lists! I love giving myself goals for the week to accomplish. It gives me to opportunity to bounce a couple of projects around and think creatively.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY?
Do it! Be sure to be open minded; our industry is always evolving which allows for lots of learning opportunities and challenges. Also, don’t forget the sunscreen!
WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOST FOR INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION?
More than books, I often depend on blogs and email subscriptions relating to new social media, advertising and special event trends. Some of my favorites are the newsletters from Later, Social Media Monthly and the Kimberly Jimenez blog.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
The people I work with. It sounds cliché, but I love the fact that we have a true team environment. We cheer each other on and we genuinely enjoy our time together. The atmosphere we have created allows us to be creative, bold and daring when undertaking any new project. We bounce ideas around, work out best and worst case scenarios and build on what we have always in a friendly and respectful manner.
WHAT CAREER OR BUSINESS WOULD YOU CONSIDER IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN?
I think I would be an artist. I love finding new ways to be creative, be it with photography, writing or design. It would be neat to turn one of my hobbies into career.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA?
I attended my first conference in Vegas 2 years ago and was asked to join the Marketing Committee. Through the committee, I’ve had the pleasure of being a speaker and continuing to grow my involvement in the organization as well as meeting some amazing individuals.
WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW KNOW OR WOULD GUESS?
I’ve spent Christmas in a tank with a dolphin! During my down time, I volunteer for the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network. There I am able to assist in necropsies, rescues and rehabilitations of stranded marine mammals all over the Texas coast.
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