Internship Spotlight: Yuk Man Chan

Name:  Yuk Man Chan

Major: Hospitality Management and Tourism

Expected Graduation Date: May 2017

Internship Location: Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa in Lexington, KY

Please describe your typical day as an intern:

I am doing my intern in the food and beverage department in Griffin Gate, which is the restaurant part of the hotel. For an intern, I typically do every position in our department, including the host, room service, and DRA (dining room attendant). My typical day as an intern is serving every customer in our restaurant and the guests who are staying in our hotel.

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

During my internship, I found that most of the curriculum that I learned in my classes is applicable. The most useful and important classroom knowledge that I am applying is what I learned from management class. This course taught me how to professionally interact with the hotel guests, to manage my time, conflict resolution techniques, and much more. All of my courses have been beneficial but the lessons from that course are some that I apply each day. Taking what I have learned and using it in a real life situation gives me the confidence to complete my tasks effectively.

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

One of the most important things I have learned during my internship is teamwork. As a team member, I remain willing to help others, and I know that my co-workers will help me as well. If I have any problems or questions during my work shift, I always ask my co-workers, supervisors, and my managers, and this is teamwork.

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

The advice that I wish to share is to keep yourself busy and be helpful. I work in a very team oriented setting and this means that when I finish a task, I know that it is essential that I check with my co-workers to see if I can help them complete their tasks. This helps us all appreciate one another. I have found that it is a key thing to "glue" the team tightly and to build relationships with co-workers. Keeping myself busy and helpful shows my dedication to the job, helps me learn more about the business, and shows my teammates that I want to be there and want us all to succeed together.