A few decisive steps towards a career with purpose...
This spring 2020 marks my third semester in People-First Tourism Lab (P1tLab) as an undergraduate research assistant. P1tLab has a few undergraduate students like me pursuing individual research studies within the broader scope of the lab’s research on tourism microentrepreneurship. P1tLab has not only provided me with the space to explore a research topic I am passionate about, but is also the reason I will be traveling to Mexico for a week in March. I will be co-leading a group of 11 students on an Alternative Service Break trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to work alongside the communitarian enterprise “Ejido Playa Grande.” Alternative Service Break trips are designed as mutually beneficial partnerships with host communities. Our group of students, the visitors, will be challenging ourselves culturally, academically and professionally through direct service to the host community to enhance our appreciation for public service, civic engagement, and service-learning. Our hosts will ear