For Emile Gauvin of Burien, a Port of Seattle summer internship served as a spring board to full-time employment as a harbor specialist.
Gauvin grew up around boats, fishing with his dad in the waters of Puget Sound and Canada. When he saw a Fishermen’s Terminal summer internship posted on the Raisbeck Aviation High School bulletin board, he knew it was a job he could do.
As a summer 2015 intern, he learned how to inventory the commercial fishing and recreational guest boats, maintain the facility, operate a forklift and provide customer assistance and other duties.
He said working with the public was a growth experience. "Most people are really nice, but occasionally there would be a seasoned fisherman who had his own way of doing things, which could be a bit of a challenge," Emile said. "When that happened, I would try to ingratiate myself, earn his respect and work it out."
Once the internship ended, Emile explored college options. He eventually landed at Highline Community College and began looking for employment to help pay expenses. As luck would have it, Fishermen’s Terminal needed someone about that time, and hired Gauvin on a temporary basis. Subsequently a full-time permanent position opened, Gauvin applied and was hired. Today he is one of four harbor specialists at Fishermen’s Terminal.
"I noticed off the top that Emile was a self-starter, followed direction well, and only had to be shown his duties one time for him to understand what was needed," said Stephen Aaron, Harbor Operations Supervisor. "When the opportunity for an emergency hire presented itself, I knew it would be a seamless transition to bring Emile back onboard. The fact that he was able to successfully interview for the permanent position only proves he has what it takes to thrive within the Port of Seattle."
Gauvin’s duties are similar to before but now he has more responsibility, such as working solo on Saturdays and driving Port vehicles. "It is busy and I like it that way, having a job and making progress in life," he said. "I look forward to going to work each day, being outdoors and next to the water. This isn’t a traditional job that someone my age could get. It is more real world, and I am meeting people, and learning about the boating industry and opportunities."
Combining work and college studies was tough at first, he said, but he has learned how to juggle both, and hopes to earn a degree in business or economics.
