The Navigator Program At Dfw Airport - 1617 Words

Throughout our lives we find ourselves associating with different groups of people. The thing that makes all the difference is the impact one make when one finds himself/herself part of a discourse community. Whether you impacted the community or the community impacted you, it still matters. The Navigator Program at DFW Airport was my community. Much of my personality and social skills come from my time volunteering at the airport. Through this program, I learned to guide travelers to their gates and terminals, while continuing to learn about the little nooks and cranny’s that the airport held. I’ve grown much since that scared teen who was afraid of interacting with strangers, but my experiences and how they nurtured me are what changed my life for the better. One of the ways my discourse community impacted me was by forcing me to become independent. I could no longer hide behind my parents. This began when I first applied for the program. With the application in hand I felt nervous and under pressure. It was almost as if it was my first job! What differentiates the Navigator Program from other volunteer programs is that the first step you go through is an interview. My mentor, Mr. Mehdi Mostowfi, is the lead ambassador and generally interviews all incoming navigators. He asks us key questions about our habits and personality traits, and then assesses us to see where we need improvement to be a successful navigator. I will be honest, the questions were a bit intimidating