KIRSTEN OYLER

in the Lowcountry. Ideally, I want to stay in the South. After living in St. Louis, I’ve discovered that I prefer warmer weather.”

Until then, however, Oyler’s immediate plans are to finish out her summer on Hilton Head Island, working as much as possible, meeting more great people, enjoying the beach, and saving her money for her next school year studying abroad in Madrid, Spain, where she hopes to use and improve her Spanish skills. She’d also like to return to Charbar Co. Burgers & Sushi next summer.

Hasta la vista, amiga!

“I moved down here not knowing anyone,” she said, “and even though a lot of the people that I work with are originally from the island or from Bluffton, they have all been welcoming. I’ve had a great experience working here.”

Oyler believes being a server at Charbar Co. Burgers & Sushi has improved her communication skills and enhanced her ability to work effectively on a team. She has also learned to manage her money.

“I’ve been very fortunate to earn a decent amount of money while working here,” she said, “and I’ve gained skills in how to manage it and set up savings for my future.”

Oyler plans to use her anthropology degree to find work in curation and design for a museum or historical homes. “I can see myself living in Savannah or Charleston, selecting historical furniture and accessories displayed in the historical tour homes. I’m also interested in the different archaeological sites

Will Rosene considers himself “very, very lucky” to have been born and raised on Hilton Head Island. His parents moved to the island straight out of physical therapy school, began working at Hilton Head Hospital, and raised their family here. Will is a sophomore at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, where he studies accounting. He is also employed with Native Son Adventures, owned by Byron Sewell, another island native, where he began teaching surf lessons as a freshman in high school.

“Now I run the tiki boats where I get to teach people about the ecosystem of the Lowcountry, take them out for sunset cruises, and show them our island home from a different perspective,” Rosene said. “I’m basically in charge of giving my passengers an experience they won’t forget.”

He also runs fishing trips when the other captains aren’t available and plans to eventually become one of the permanent fishing captains. Rosene’s favorite part about the job is simply being outdoors.

“The fact that my job allows me to be out on the water all day is pretty sweet,” he said, “and at the same time, being able to teach people about Hilton Head, my hometown and a place I love, is pretty cool as well.”

Rosene also works for his parents at Vacation Mobility Solutions, a beach wheelchair business, delivering chairs. “They built their business from the ground up about 12 years ago, catering to people with various disabilities and elderly people who have a hard time getting through the soft sand,” Rosene explained. “The chair solves their problem and allows them to enjoy the beaches where otherwise they wouldn’t be able to.”

For the remainder of the summer, Rosene’s goal is to save as much money as possible, gain more experience as a boat captain, and continue to learn as

much as he can from Sewell about being on the water and running a fishing boat.

“Long term, I want to finish college debt free, which is why I stay close to home and work,” Rosene said. “By the time I graduate, I’ll not only have a degree, but I’ll also hopefully have enough money saved to potentially start a business of my own—a charter company like the one I’m working for— offering people different ways to explore and learn about the Lowcountry.”

Rosene’s job at Native Son Adventures is growing his skills in communication. Daily he encounters a variety of strangers with different personalities, different levels of comfort on the water, and different expectations. He must quickly get an idea of what his passengers want from their excursion, build an experience based on that awareness, and remain flexible to solve unpredicted problems that may arise.

“Anything can happen on the water, so everyday I’m learning how to adapt,” he said. “These skills, too, will help me as I start a business. Just the privilege of being around people who know more than me, who allow me to pick their brains, means I’m constantly learning something new. I don’t take anything for granted.”

Brock Huber is from Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He is currently a senior at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, majoring in clinical management with a minor in business, and looking forward to graduating in the spring of 2024. He aspires to enter the business aspect of health care, such as medical sales, health care management, or perhaps even business marketing.

Huber came to Hilton Head Island in the footsteps of his older brother who was a beach lifeguard for a couple of summers. He works for Shore Beach Services, whose territory ranges all the way from the first marker, covering about 13 miles of beach.

“I visited my brother in 2021, and it was my first time coming to the island,” Huber said. “While I was a lifeguard previously at a pool, I learned a lot from him about what it means to lifeguard on the beach. I got to work with my brother for one summer, and I fell in love with the job. This is my third summer being on the island.”

Huber says that his favorite part of the job is helping people, whether he is serving as the main guard in the high chair, responsible for water and shore safety, or as a rental attendant who takes care of getting people situated with their chairs

and umbrellas, as well as being available to assist other beach patrol personnel with their duties.

“The most challenging part is the stress of handling a lot of people all at once,” he said. “In my area—in front of the Sea Pines Beach Club—it can get crowded, so that can be difficult. But we have a stand partner each day and a couple of high chairs, which makes it much easier and well-managed. While I haven’t had any water rescues, I’ve had to deliver lots of first aid and deal with emergencies, which all ended in positive results.”

Huber’s first job at the age of 16 was a food runner at a restaurant. Shortly after, he became a lifeguard at a local pool. He also worked as a landscaper, served at a sorority house back at school, and now while in school, he works as a porter at the Lexus dealership. For the duration of the summer, his plan is to continue working as a lifeguard, approaching every day with a positive attitude, and to continue to deepen his friendships with coworkers.

“My friendships and all the people that I’ve met are the best part of my job,” Huber said. “I’ve met people from all over the world. So many of my work colleagues are from different countries, and gaining those relationships has been a great experience. Working as a lifeguard has really made me more of a people person, a better communicator. It’s also made me a very hard worker. Watching out for others is not an easy job—it’s fun, but not easy.”

Long term, Huber isn’t totally sure what his career will look like, but sitting in an office is out of the question after summers on the beach—which is where he intends to be next summer, too.

“Being a beach lifeguard is a unique job and an opportunity I’m grateful for,” he said. “It’s an experience that I’m not ready to be done with yet.”

Ysabela Timbancaya is from the Manila, Philippines, where she graduated from La Salle University with a degree in hospitality management. Before coming to Hilton Head Island, she worked in a sales job for a hotel. Seeking to grow her career in the hospitality industry, she applied to a student exchange program which allows participants to go abroad for a year to work in their chosen field. She was assigned to the Palmetto Dunes Welcome Center and works in front