Internship Spotlight: Reilly Butler

Name:  Reilly Butler

Major:  Hospitality Management & Tourism

Expected graduation date:  May 2018

Internship Location: Smithtown Seafood at West Sixth Brewery (Lexington, KY)

Please describe your typical day as an intern:

Smithtown Seafood had constant foot traffic throughout the day. There is not one specific thing I would do during my shift. I would greet guests, help them with menu questions, take their order, deliver food to their tables, and clean tables! Smithtown had a strong sense of teamwork, so we would help each other out when necessary. Customer satisfaction was a top priority at Smithtown Seafood and getting to know our regular guests was the best part of any shift!

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

Every day I find myself applying what I learned at my job. My ServSafe certification and Lemon Tree experience have had a huge impact on my knowledge and preparation for the restaurant industry. I have become more confident with guests because of what I have learned through lectures and hands on experience in my classes.

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

I have been lucky enough to learn more about local businesses working together. Smithtown has a strong belief in teamwork, but that goes beyond the staff working together. Smithtown Seafood, West Sixth Brewery, and the Lexington Food Chain are all pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly together to create the picture. Local businesses supporting each other is not only inspiring but adds a tremendous amount of care and value to the work being done.

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

Be open to learning new things! You never know what experiences your coworkers, managers, or guests have had in their life. I have learned so much from customers and they don't even realize it!