Introduction
The major goal of the Casino Management Certification Program is to provide entry-level supervisors and other employees assistance in developing their skills and knowledge of the casino industry through on-the-job (OJT) experience combined with managerial theory. The casino that sponsors students attracts, retains and develops a diverse, quality workforce, enhancing organizational effectiveness.
To achieve the greatest benefit to the student and their sponsoring casino, a Field Advisor relationship is desirable. In contrast, the Field Advisor will support the student within the casino environment, helping the student to fulfill the program’s OJT requirements. This document describes the role of the Field Advisor and the student’s responsibilities in relation to the Field Advisor.
What is a Field Advisor? A Field Advisor is an experienced, skilled manager within the casino industry, ideally working within the casino where the student is employed. Students sponsored and enrolled by organizations will need a Field Advisor recruited by their organization. A Field Advisor recruited by Human Resources in a specific casino may receive recognition for his/her service as a Field Advisor.
Benefits: Both student and field advisor benefit from the exchange and are responsible for outcomes, with the student having greater expectations for initiative. The relationship is based on trust, honesty and mutual respect.
The student benefits by:
1. Enhanced development of skills
2. Development of unseen potential
3. Building relationships across the organization
4. Broadening their organizational perspective
The Field Advisor benefits by:
1. Broadening their organizational perspective
2. Building relationships across the organization
3. Provides leadership opportunities
4. Imparts knowledge and experience to others
Characteristics/abilities/selection criteria of Field Advisor
• A willing volunteer; not competing with the student
• Experienced and skilled manager/leader in a casino
• In-depth knowledge of the casino industry, one or more casinos
• Able to encourage, listen, guide and support others
• Open minded; willing to have different perspectives
• Able to gain access to major areas of the casino for learning assignments of the student; will advocate if needed
• Willing to set aside 2 hours or more a month to interact with the student; receptive to student’s initiative
• Finds rewards in assisting the development of employees
Selection Procedure Recommendations
• Field Advisors may be the immediate supervisor of the student or be working elsewhere in the organization
• Field Advisors may be selected by Human Resources, recruited by the student, or provided via RRCC at an additional cost
• Consideration should be made of the personalities and wishes of both the student and the Field Advisor
• The student at no time should be coerced or threatened by the Field Advisor; if the relationship is not satisfactory to either, there should be no punishment for reassignment to another Field Advisor
What the Field Advisor Does
• Learns about the goals and procedures of Casino Management Certification Program by viewing the video that has been provided, giving an overview of the program
• Becomes acquainted with the student; learns student’s goals, needs and requests; assists in refining student goals and plans
• Views the video with the student, making agreements of how the two of you will work together; plan to revisit your agreements after the first course to make them even better
• Encourages, guides, mentors and coaches the student; does not direct the student
• Makes calls or has conversations that enable the student to have access to areas of the casino where s/he can accomplish their assignments; advocates for the student to have access
• Answers student questions about casinos, casino operations and methods throughout the certification program; is receptive to student’s initiative, while not encouraging dependency or doing the work for them
• Interacts with the student in person, by phone, email or the discussion board to encourage and follow progress
• Sets aside 2 hours or more a month to interact with the student
• Shares personal and professional “lessons learned”
• Shares organizational knowledge, insight and perspective
What the Student Does
• Assumes responsibility for his/her own growth and development
• Shares personal and professional knowledge and experience
• Is honest about what s/he needs or desires
• Clarifies expectations and asks for clarification when needed
• Seeks and creates opportunities for knowledge and skill development
• Seeks feedback and focuses on areas needing further development
• Keeps the Field Advisor informed and makes timely requests
• Takes advantage of the opportunities the Field Advisor provides
Expectations of the Field Advisor
• Receptivity to feedback
• Ability to meet or exceed current responsibilities while engaging in the Field Advisor program
• Commitment to work in partnership with the student and RRCC to establish and help implement goals for the certification program
• Commitment to dedicate enough time for the relationship to be successful
• Commitment to certification program activities and administrative tasks
Expectations of Student
• Willingness to assume responsibility for own growth and development, including accomplishment of certification requirements
• Receptivity to feedback and coaching
• Ability to meet or exceed current responsibilities while engaging in the certification program
• Commitment to work in partnership with RRCC ___ , your Field Advisor, and possibility your immediate supervisor to establish and accomplish goals of the certification program
• Commitment to dedicate enough time for your education to be worthwhile
• Commitment to program activities and administrative requirements for successful certification
Field Advisor/Student Agreement
Field Advisor Name: ____________________________________
Student Name: ________________________________________
We voluntarily enter into this partnership and understand that while the Student bears primary responsibility for educational success, the role of the Field Advisor is key in impacting results. To make this partnership successful, we agree to abide by the requirements and guidelines set forth in the RRCC _________ materials.
We agree that the Student has developmental goals s/he is required to achieve during the course of the certification program. It is the Student’s responsibility to work toward these goals, establishing effective learning plans and habits. It is the Field Advisor’s responsibility to support these goals and requirements.
The Field Advisor and Student commit to establishing effective task and communication methods that enable the Student to successfully accomplish the certification program as well as respect the time and work demands of the Field Advisor. Additionally, we agree to maintain appropriate boundaries and levels of confidentiality.
We further agree that, after careful consideration, we can initiate a “no-fault” termination of this partnership. It is understood that if a termination should become necessary, we will continue to adhere to the confidentiality guidelines we established.
Field Advisor Signature __________________________ Date _______
Student Signature ______________________________ Date _______
Both Student and Field Advisor should keep a copy of this agreement.
Getting Started
Getting to Know Each Other and Establishing Ground Rules
Getting to Know Each Other and Establishing Ground Rules
Potential Discussion Topics
Personal Background
- Life, education and work experience
- Personal standards of excellence, values
- Keys to success, problem-solving and decision-making strategies
- Alignment of career goals with personal goals
- Networking strategies
Significant Learning Experiences
- Turning points in career choices
- Significant challenges, mistakes and success strategies
- Resolution of work challenges, conflicts, avoiding pitfalls
Organizational Knowledge
- Culture of the organization – how to succeed in this organization
- Unwritten rules, norms, expectations
- Organization’s criteria for success
- Preferred leadership styles and behaviors – what succeeds?
- Organizational structure and politics
- What is changing and how to prepare for change?
Ground Rules
We agree to . . . .
• Maintain confidentiality
• Make a commitment setting, keeping and remaking broken appointments
• Communicate openly, honestly and non-defensively
• Accept each other’s perspectives, even if we don’t agree
• Take problems, conflicts and obstacles as they arise
• Meet in a public setting
Additionally, include agreements on . . .
• Goals and objectives for your time in the certification program
• How sensitive issues will be handled
• Expectations of each other (You do not get what you do not agree to)
• How will success be defined?
• Dissolving the partnership
• Any additional areas of concern
What if it is NOT Working?
Calling it “Quits” . . . It happens! It’s Okay!
• People at different stages of their career and different personality types
• May just not connect
The “No-Fault” Termination
• Either partner has the option of discontinuing the relationship for any reason
• Discuss how you will handle the dissolution of the partnership as part of the initial agreement
• Before considering termination, determine whether you have attempted to work through your differences
• Remember the Ground Rules
• If you decide to terminate, the student is expected to engage another Field Advisor to assist in completion of the certification program
FAQs (expand on the FAQs while speaking with 2 or 3 casino executives/mangers in the development of this aspect of the program)
How with the Field Advisor and Student interact? Interact with the student in person, by phone, email or RRCC provided discussion board to encourage and follow progress
SO – WII-FM? You may ask what is the benefit to the Field Advisor for carrying this role and set of responsibilities. The benefits to the Field Advisor are:
• Gain additional perspectives of casino operation and leadership
• Satisfaction of developing the career of an employee/student
• Play a leadership role in your casino
