Her Story
About Alesia
My journey in the travel industry began over 42 years ago when I was young and dreamed of becoming a flight attendant. When I applied, I wasn't old enough because the requirement was you had to be 21, so they suggested I become a reservationist instead. I started there until I turned 21, and then I was actually going to be a flight attendant, but my dad talked me out of it and said I'd be bored. He told me to get into computers, so I moved out of reservations and started to work for the airline in programming and development work, supporting travel agencies and airports. That's how it all started, just by my dad telling me I would be bored doing what I thought was my dream when I was little. Since then, it has taken me many different avenues, working for what you call a GDS (Global Distribution Systems), which pushes out every different type of travel entity from car, hotel, train, cruise, you name it. I got into the online world doing development work, worked for Orbitz, and soon enough Expedia bought them. I had different various jobs and really enjoyed the development side, so I just kind of moved around within the travel industry world. Prior to my current job, I worked for Navitaire, another online agency but this one was more expense reporting. I did both the agency side configurations and the financial side, because when I very first started with Navitaire, I think they were only a year old and were just getting all of the expense reporting and becoming a larger online agency including the financials. Eventually, I decided to move on and accepted the position to actually manage Business Systems Analysts and Quality Assurance Analysts, because with all my experience, why not share the love?
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alesia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having an amazing husband who supported me throughout my career. Being a technology specialist, I traveled every 6 weeks, and we had 3 kids together. We never really had a babysitter - for the most part, he and I juggled 3 kids and both had full careers. Just knowing that I could stay up on technology, support my customers, and raise a family as well as having 3 kids - I don't know how we did it or where that energy came from, but the two of us made it work. We've got 3 successful children, all three have graduated college (well, I've got one more left with one semester to go), and one is doing her Master's. They played club travel volleyball and soccer, and I just think it's been an incredible journey. I'm so blessed. It's absolutely all about communication - my husband and I were very honest and communicated very well between the two of us.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Take your time, and take every training that your company offers. There is so much out there through social media, YouTube - you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. I seriously do things I never thought I'd have, like raising three successful kids while having a career and the support of a family. For other women, if you want to continue to achieve your career and growth, lean on your coworkers, your managers, your VPs, and don't be afraid to ask questions. It's okay not to know the answer. Always be willing to learn - I mean, I think once you get stagnant in your position and your career, that's when things go wrong. My other thought is, if you are unhappy where you are, you have to move on. I hear people complain about their job, and I just think if you're really unhappy, you need to move on.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and honesty are the most important values to me. Like I said before, it's okay not to know everything. I mean, just lean on people you trust - it will happen, whether you're moving up in the company or just learning the job. There are many good people out there. My other thought is, if you are unhappy where you are, you have to move on. I hear people complain about their job, and I just think if you're really unhappy, you need to move on.
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