The international appeal of the gaming industry in Las Vegas provides both challenges and opportunities. For Shannon Scott, it was the ultimate attraction that brought her to the Las Vegas Hilton.

Scott loves meeting and learning from people of different cultures, so Las Vegas was naturally appealing. It’s not surprising that someone who loves interacting with people so much also enjoys the challenge of teaching them, too.

As the Hilton’s property trainer, Scott has the opportunity to do exactly that. She is part of a two-person team that handles everything from new-hire orientation to yearly refresher courses on things like sexual harassment and problem gaming.

Her psychology degree from Pacific University in Oregon gives her some necessary insight when interacting with people, but it was her experiences right out of college that really prepared her for what she is doing now.

Scott went to Japan to teach English. It was quite an adventure, she says, because she didn’t know the Japanese language beyond a few simple phrases. But the challenge and learning opportunity turned a one-year assignment into three years abroad.

“I was teaching junior high level kids, but I had to teach them at almost a pre-school level, because that was the level they needed to learn at as far as English goes,” she said. “It was a challenge to teach them at that level and still respect their age.

“That applies to training here, too. I have to teach to the level of the employees while maintaining respect for them, too. I have to respect that a lot of the employees have been here a long time and still continue to teach them what they need to learn.”

When it was time to leave Japan, Scott was very interested in coming to Las Vegas. Not only was there the international appeal, but the dichotomy of the history of the city and its ever-changing nature was also a draw. When she found the job at the Hilton, she knew it would be a perfect fit.

“Coming from the teaching background, I wanted to stay involved in that some way and help with employees understanding different cultures because we have so many employees from all over the world,” she said. “I thought that my background would be good for this, and it has been. I can understand where people are coming from. That has lent itself well to being able to relate well to employees.”

Teaching isn’t the only thing that Scott does, however. Some of the most rewarding aspects of her job involve a more relaxed interaction with her fellow Hilton team members—in some cases, as literal team members.

Scott shows up at events in which Hilton employees are competing during the annual Las Vegas Corporate Challenge. In cases where a team is one person short, she is eager to get involved.

“There are 33 different events, and I’m pretty much in every single one because I don’t want any of our hardworking employees when they have a sport they totally love to be out there and have to forfeit,” she said. “If they need someone, I’ll jump in even if I’m not going to be good. At least it is not a forfeit and they still end up having fun.

“I’ve done fishing to fencing—you name it. I even had to wear some guy’s shoes one night to play volley ball because I showed up in sandals because I didn’t think I would have to play.”

If she has any concerns about her job, it would be that she doesn’t have time to recognize and acknowledge the work of the many Hilton employees who are deserving.

“There are so many people that we would love to get to, and I feel like we don’t have the opportunity to do that. There are so many wonderful employees here that we take the time to spend time with them as much as we can, but we have other things we have to do,” she said.

Selfless as she is, Scott is deserving of recognition, too.

By Greg Jones

Greg Jones is managing editor of Casino Connection Nevada, as well as associate editor of Global Gaming Business magazine.