We recently connected with Dr. Courtnie Gilmour and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Courtnie , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

I would change how political the education system has become or always has been for that matter. I became an educator so I could change the world, in a sense. I wanted my students to have their own opinions based off of their own beliefs or research or thoughts. Not based on what everyone else says or does or thinks is right or wrong. We are a diverse country in the fact that we are all different. We all come from different background, we all learn and have learned from different people and different ways. How we grew up, how we are as people are all different and that is what makes us so unique and amazing. If we could bring all of these things together and learn from one another, that would make us all stronger, more knowledgeable, more understanding. We must understand where other people come from and what they have been through. People learn in different ways, cultures learn in different ways and as an educator, it is important to understand that not everyone can learn in the same fashion and that should not be used against them. You should be able to have your own voice and your own thoughts and you should be able express them without hatred from others or being canceled because people are afraid of the unknown. When in fact if we learned from one another, it would no longer be considered the unknown. The educational system fears the people with a voice and fears that someone may follow a belief that they do not know enough about. It is fear that hold us all back. However we are the land of the free and the voice of freedom and that has been taken away from us all. My only wish teaching in the university system is to teach my students that it is ok to not understand something, it is ok to ask questions, it is ok to think for yourself, have your own beliefs and values, to stand up for yourself, to learn about others and have compassion. You do not have to follow what everyone does to make it right. The educational system lost those values a long time ago. When they are they teach about everything valuable to life, not just one mainstream opinion or thought. Its about teach students to be true to themselves.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Eminent Events was established in March 2012 working with sports teams on the east coast. Ever since then Eminent Events has expanded in many different directions and to many other states including internationally. I honestly did not see myself planning events when I was in college till I had to do community service at a local museum in St.Petersburg FL and I planned a charity event for the first time. That was it to change my whole college path from a Marine Biology to Hospitality and Tourism, specializing in Event Management. Hospitality has been a focus and interest of mine since I was 15 and my first job was in a restaurant at a hotel on the beach. So my goals and path in my career all made sense after my first event in 2006. I did not just stop at a Bachelors, or Masters degree in the subject and decided to get a PhD so I could also teach at a university one day. I wanted to make my clients, students, family and friends dreams become a reality in whatever form that may be. For my clients it was that charity event they were so passionate about, or those conferences that tried to make the world go green. For my students it was the dream to further their education and become the first person in their family to graduate from college. For my family and friends, it was the dream to be a part of something bigger or something of meaning. Those holidays, those gatherings, those celebrations. I know my most proud moment was when I graduated with a PhD and when my company expanded to two more different states, two things that took a lot of work and that I had my doubts that would happen. That just goes to prove that one should not give up on something that truly matters to them, to that dream.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

To be in a leadership role, I think you constantly need to learn, unlearn, and relearn. This goes for all aspects of life. The world as we know it is constantly changing and with that, we must not be stagnant because the world is not stagnant. They say the degrees we hold in college will only teach us five years of knowledge, when before it would hold you through your whole career. So we have to unlearn things we once knew and relearn the new way. This does not mean you’re conforming this means you’re adapting. Adapting is what we have to do to evolve.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I think everyone gets the feeling, at a point in their life, that they are pivoting. One must not take this as a failure and this does not mean failure. When you come to a point where a pivot is necessary, take this as an opportunity and put those visions into action. The pandemic made a constant need to do just that, to pivot. This is in our careers, our personal life, our vices. Pivoting is a way to put those dreams you always had and make them a reality. This does not come easy though. When you start changing your ideas and your wants, that also comes with advice that is unsolicited but you must realize that you are the only one that needs to live with it and fear brings interest. I had to pivot my hole career when COVID happened. I had to teach online instead of the classroom, and I was no longer able to plan or hold events anymore. it was a scary time in regards to money, life and security. I decided to focus my time and energy on relearning a new way adapt to a new way of life and my career, I had to put the event part of my life on hold but I was able to excel on my teaching. I was able to teach in a new way, online, which created a new experience, a new skill set, a new way of looking at things. I was able to adapt. I felt like I was stuck walking in a circle for many many months to almost a year. I was living in Seattle and our laws with COVID were far more strict. The need for change was high and I had to make positive changes in whatever way I could. I moved to a different state and continued to further my knowledge in other aspects of my life, such as the new way of online teaching in the university system and the new way for virtual events. When you have to pivot, make it an opportunity to change for the better and use it for your advantage, You are not the only one feeling like this, I promise your not alone.

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• Website: www.partytampabay.com

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