USAC Meet a Member: Portlyn Cruise
What department do you work in and what is your job title?
I’m an Event Coordinator for the Office of Medical Student Affairs (VU School of Medicine) which is under the Office of Health Sciences Education (OHSE).
How long have you been a Vanderbilt employee?
This July I celebrated my 6th year with Vanderbilt.
What is the best perk you have ever had at a job?
The best perk I’ve ever had at a job were First Friday celebrations. I was an Operations Manager at a software company in the Silicon Valley and our CEO hosted 1st Fridays in the office lobby. He walked around the office and if you were at your desk, he would make you stop work and join the celebration. He had food, beer & wine, and live music for 2-3 hours each 1st Friday. The celebrations were always fun and relaxed, and people would dance and social with one another. It was a great way to de-stress and have fun with coworkers.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
As a young adult, I wanted to be a Fashion Merchandiser. I still believe Fashion merchandising is a dynamic field because it requires a balance of your creative and analytical skills. I thought it would be exciting to use my quantitative & creative skills, with the ability to discover fashion trends. I still remember the 5 R’s of Fashion Merchandising:
- the right merchandise
- in the right quantities
- at the right time
- at the right price
- in the right place
What has been your favorite vacation you have ever been on?
My favorite vacation was when I went to France. It was part work and part vacation. I worked at Hewlett-Packard in Sacramento and had the opportunity to go to HP in Grenoble, France for a couple of months. While I was there, I was able to explore many beautiful cities, including Paris, Cassis, Annecy, Aix-en-Provence, Lyon, Cannes, Nice, Eze, Marseille, Monaco and Versailles.
In Paris, I visited the Eiffel Tower, spent two days in the Louvre, strolled the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, visited the Place de la Concorde, walked to the majestic Arc de Triomphe, saw a cancan show at the famous Moulin Rouge, and visited the Notre Dame Cathedral. In Cassis, I went swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, hiked in the Calanques National Park, and fell in love with Kir cocktails. In Annecy, I took a boat ride on the lake and explored the old town. In Aix-en-Provence, I visited the Cours Mirabeau and the Cézanne Museum. In Lyon, I enjoyed the food and wine. In Cannes, I spent time touring the French Rivera and shopping. In Marseille, I visited the Château d’If and the Old Port. And in Versailles, I toured the Palace of Versailles and the gardens. I also had the opportunity to spend a weekend on the Mediterranean Sea on HP’s employee sailboat. It was a truly unforgettable experience.
What are you most proud of in your life thus far?
I’m most proud that I’m of my ability to be inquisitive & open-minded, and willing to embrace change. There is joy in remaining open to new experiences! Luckily, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from others, celebrate so many fascinating cultures, and connect with beautiful people from around the world many who have become my friends.