Erika Ayala’s Journey To Lynn
By BIANCA BONOMO
Staff Writer
It is common for students and faculty members to become familiar with the staff that works in the cafeteria.
Erika Ayala is one of the employees who managers the front desk during the night shifts. Originally from Houston, TX, Ayala is now the Dining Manager for the second and third shift in the cafeteria.
Opportunities tend to always be around every corner, or in this case, just down the street.
“I heard of Lynn before working here,” said Ayala. “Driving down the street, I saw the campus.”
Before coming to Florida, Ayala attended the Culinary Institute of America, in Poughkeepsie New York. There she also met her husband. She had her life planned when most students were still conflicting on what they are going to do next. After college, Ayala received a job at the Boca Resort.
“I would tell my younger self to slow down and not grow up so fast,” said Ayala. “At the college I went to, the courses were so fast. One class was three weeks long.”
Qualities that many people may not know about Ayala are that she is very outgoing, has a great personality and maintains high leadership skills.
Something that changed Ayala in a drastic way was becoming a mother.
“[Being a mother] makes you more patient and it makes you put everybody above yourself. It’s a motherly instinct,” said Ayala.
Just like many, Ayala has doubted herself before. She believes that it is a good quality to have because it helps people relate to one another.
Ayala does not plan on staying at Lynn for her entire career.
“My overall goal is to be an event coordinator,” said Ayala.
Ayala is a great example as to why people are not always as they appear to be. Ayala may be seen as a night shift worker in the cafeteria, but until someone gets the full story, it will remain unknown as to what a person is capable of doing and how far someone has come along the years.
