Internship Spotlight: Ashley Boser

Name: Ashley Boser Major: Hospitality Management

Expected Graduation: August 2015

Where are you completing your internship?

Homewood Suites by Hilton in Lexington/Hamburg, KY

What is your ‘typical’ day as an intern?

There has been no ‘typical’ day during my intership, as everyday is always a different experience. I have been rotating through the many departments of the hotel: folding beds in housekeeping, changing toilet tanks with the maintenance man, training to be a front desk agent, and catering to guests during breakfast and dinner receptions. I have been consistently busy making myself available wherever assistance is needed throughout the hotel.

How are you using and applying classroom knowledge in your internship?

I have completed the Revenue Management course taught by Dr. Day and I am learning firsthand how those calculations and formulas are relevent in the hotel industry. I have had the opportunity daily to calculate what our occupancy percentage is and how many rooms we have left to sell for the night. I am learning all about the Hilton loyalty programs and the Hilton brand standard. I am experiencing how important proper customer service is and how to differentiate a guest's experience to encourage them to return for future business.

What is one key thing you have learned during your internship?

I have learned that housekeeping is the most important department in the hotel. Without those hardworking employees cleaning all of the rooms and turning down the beds every morning, a hotel could not be functional. A main priority in every business is cleanliness and housekeeping is responsible for exceeding a guest's expectations and making them feel at home. From working three days in housekeeping, I also realized how difficult that job is and I have so much respect for all of the employees who work so hard each and every day to keep the hotel’s cleanliness to the highest of standards.

If you could share one piece of advice for other students who are preparing to complete an internship, what would it be?

As an intern, be prepared for anything. Given that you want to learn as much as possible in the given ten week span, you have to ‘roll with the punches’ and ask lots of questions. There is so much to learn every day in the hotel industry and any other industry. The experiences that you will have with customers, co-workers, and supervisors thru your internship are the building blocks of your career.