My final posting

Well, before I said anything else, last weekend was special for me, because my family took me to a field trip to Sedona and Grand Canyon. They wanted me to be relaxed and be ready for the final at ASU. What I can tell you about my family, I am so happy to have the family that I have because we have always close been, for the grace of My God.

This is my last posting to my blog, I cannot believe that I almost done with my internship at the Hotel San Carlos Downtown Phoenix. Unbelievable, it just two days leave which will be this week on Wednesday and Friday. I am exhilarating to graduate from Arizona State University, but at the same time, I am nostalgic to leave the school. I cannot believe that soon, there will be no more assignments and projects to turn in. I will not need to write a report about what is going on with in my life. As well, behind, I will leave my life of school, I am sure, that I will miss it very much. I will miss my teachers, tutors and friends that I have opportunity to meet during my education journey. I am so grateful to my God and different scholarship and all people who support me to accomplish my educational goal.

Well, during my internship at the Hotel San Carlos, I have to face different challenges, and one of them was my health. Well, as you know I speak three languages, which sometimes is beneficial, but others is more complicate. I speak and write English, but sometime when I am nervous, I cannot speak fluently English language, which is a big problem for me because of the need of good communication. Even though, I am thankful to the owner of the hotel because he let me to do my internship at hotel. During my internship, I have gained friends with those who I work with at the hotel, I am sure I will miss them a lot, but I have to keep going with my journey. Sometime, it hard to keep going on when are you not sure what coming next, but I trust in My God and I know he will guide my professional path. It was a pleasure to have this blog and share with you my experiences through my internship, also to have an opportunity to received feedback from you guys. I wish everybody the best of the best in your professional career. God bless you!

At Front Desk, First Sheet

Well, as I told you, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I worked at the first sheet. I helped answers the phone, make reservations, and any other inquire that guests may have. Sometimes I do not have the answers to the guests questions so I prefer to transfer the call to the person I was working with. While, my stayed at there I met some people who do not speak English. For example a lady who came with her husband to the doctors’ conference at the Phoenix Convention Center, they were from Peru. As well, I helped two Christian men who came to make reservation for their ministers; they said that they would hold a convention at downtown Phoenix. They invited me to attend to their meeting. Finally, Friday, in the morning was not so busy, however, in the afternoon Georgene the director of sale asked me to help her enter some data from a group that is coming to the hotel in May. Unfortunately, I was not able to finished enter the data to the computer, they were too many, so I did the most I could and then I went to home.

At Front Desk, second sheet

As you know, time go-fast and I finished six deferent departments at the Hotel San Carlos. I do not know if you remember that I said that after I done with six departments, I have to return to each apartment again for two days. Well, I have news for you; I will not have to go over all departments again, I am glad for that. Instead of that, I finished another week at the front desk. Even though, last week I had to work at the second sheet for two days, Monday and Tuesday. While Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I work in the morning sheet. During my return to this department, I helped the staff of the front desk to check in and out guests. In addition, I answered some guests inquire about the hotel. Even though, I do not like to work at second sheet because it is from 3pm to 11pm, I would prefer in the morning sheet, because I do not like to be out side of my home, during nighttime, but I have to obey in order to do well in my internship so I did. Monday, was okay it was a busy day, I helped the front desk supervisor to answer the phone. In addition, I helped her to go to each room that was reserved for that group, and to put a bag in it, required for the group planner.

On the other hand, Tuesday night was good, as it was not very busy. During that night a guy came to the hotel because he had a reservation, so, I helped him to check in. Even though, I finished checking him in, he stayed at the front desk and talked to us about his life’s journey, it was interesting to hear him. However, the funny part was when he talked about ghosts, and asked if it is true that in the hotel they are ghost, he assumed that because the hotel is historical. Usually, I do not talk too much to guests except if they ask me for something. Well, this guest was so funny, according to him, he knows where people are from with just look at them, but he did not guess that. Well, this guy ends up giving advice to Karla and me about the life.

Second week at the Sale Department

Sale Department was the last department that I should to go. I am happy that I almost done with my internship, just a few more weeks and I will finish. Well, last week was my last week at the sale department too. Even though, at begin of the week; it was kind of busy, the director of sale let me helped her to enter same data from an association group that is coming to the hotel. Consequently, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were busy days. I was sending letters to invite different groups that have convention, trade show, and conference to come to the Hotel San Carlos offers special discount rates. Thursday, in the morning, I helped her send emails to the Phoenix Convention Visitor Bureau to know if some bookings from the files of five year ago are still active. However, after that, she said that she does not have anything else for me to do. Therefore, I end helped Nuria at her department that day. Except, Friday, the sale of director of the hotel, told me that she does not have time to teach what to do, so she prefer to do her job by herself, I was kind disappointment with her answer. However, I understand that she had to do her job in the way she want it. Afterward, I helped Nuria again with different stuffs that she wanted me to do. Well, during my stayed at this department, it made me to remember the sale class’s project at the end of the semester, where we wrote a request for propose (RFP) pretending be an event planner. Well, as you know, my job dream will be hotel inspector, but maybe I will change it to event planner. Such as, I am member of Meeting Professional International (MPI) and Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), maybe I will contact some of my networking for internship at there and see what going with the industry.

Sale Department

At the Sale Department

This pass week, I was at the sale department. I will be in this department for one week more; I mean that I have to be at this department for two weeks. Actually, Sale is the last department that I should to go. At my first day at the Sale Department, I was exciting to be in this department because it is supposes to be more relating with what we learned from some of ours classes that we took at ASU, such as following: sale, special event, marking, and meeting class. Although, my first day at this department I was kind of wearing. I arrived at 9:00am and present myself to the director of sale at the hotel. Since, she was not at the hotel for four days; she had many things to take care of. Therefore, she said that that day was not a good day to start my internship at the sale department. Her answers made me feel that there is not a place for me so; I thought what I am doing here? However, after I heard her I understood that sometime, it is difficult to confront stresses at work. The days went on and I did the following things: I enter data from different associations that are coming to the hotel for the next months to the computer. I helped her to put together information at the brochures. Do researching about deferent upcoming events and conference at Phoenix Downtown. In addition, I was researching what are rates of others hotels at the Phoenix Downtown, because the Hotel San Carlos was overbook. I sent letters to deferent hotels, pretending that I was an event planner. Finally, Friday I came early to finished pending work that the sale director let me do. After, that Nuria asked me a favor, if I can help her because she had a lot of things to do that day. Therefore, she talked to the sale director and they agreed that Friday, I would help Nuria. Well this was my first week at the sale department, it was busy, but it was okay. I wish you everybody happy Easter!

At the restaurant department (back of the house)

At the restaurant department (back of the house)
Last week, it was a busy week because I was in restaurant department but at the back of the house (at the kitchen). During this week, I had the opportunity to know how a restaurant kitchen works. At there I meet the executive chef and his chef’s assistants. Particularly, all the chefs are very kind people, I was glad to meet them. I worked with eight different chefs. During my stayed at this department, I learned some basic things like how each food item should be date. In addition, that always has to apply FIFO (first in, first out) to keep food. This means that the first food coming in must be the first go out. I had the opportunity to help the executive chef to dating all the foods that is keeping at the walk refrigerator and the freezer. As well as, I helped the chefs to prepare the line (cut vegetables and change the entire container to new one) to be ready each morning. Fernando, who is the executive chef, showed me how he does when he has to order what items need. He told me that he has to done this two times a week. This week at the kitchen, I observed how most of the chefs cook, however, I was glad that at least I learned how to make my own sandwich. My last day at there was last Friday April 3, 2009, in that day the hotel host a party at the restaurant. Fernando and his chefs’ assistants helped to prepare and decorate the food for the party. He told me that I had to stay that day until we done, with everything for the party. Actually, the party was for 150 people. I helped chefs to decorate different kind of appetizers and desserts. Consequently, I had the opportunity to taste different kind of appetizers and desserts. Therefore, last Friday was the first time I ate too much for the last two mouths. I do not know if you remember that I was sick and I suppose to not eat anything else beside what the doctor told me to eat, but those appetizers and deserts were delicious make them irresistible to not try them. Even though everything was successful at this party at the end of that day, I was very tired. Finally, I do not think that I can be a chef because I will eat most of the foods that I will prepare, instead to earn profit I will lose it.

Restaurant Department

Restaurant Department

As, you know this past week I started at the Copper Door Restaurant, which is the front the house. While, my state at the front of the house, I learned the following: payroll tracking, tips allotted, end-of-day credit card batch record keeping, use the point of sale computer system, and set up the dining room for lunch and dinner. In addition, I helped servers to promote lunch and dinner through chalkboards and event post. So far, each department is different from each other, even though they are part of the same hotel. I mean that each manager of each department may suggest changes and any implement to the hotel, but the owner of the hotel is the one who takes the final decision in any change to be implementing. Work at this hotel may be very different from other hotels in the hospitality industry because this hotel has an owner, while other may be a corporation. So far, I believe that I prefer to be at front desk and administration department, but I am not sure either because I still have two more departments to go.

Administration Department

This past week was my last week at the administration department, which includes human resource and accounting department. During my internship at these departments, I had a chance to learn different things. For example, at the accounting department, I learned the following, using Peachtree program: process payroll, enter bills, pay bills, and check deposit accounts. In addition, bank deposit and filling. The week was busy, but I prefer that because it kept me active. Actually, on Thursday I helped Nuria to organize and clean the office. In addition, this week I met again the owner of the hotel, and I helped him to make multiple copies of some documents that he needed. Tomorrow, I will move to different department, which is the restaurant. However, I still not know what will be my duties at this department.

Administration Department

Hello! Everybody
Last week I had begun my internship at the administration department. As you know, I will be in this department for two weeks. The week was busy, but it was okay. I worked with Nuria Sawyer who is the human resource and counter of the hotel. She works at two departments, so she was very busy, but she was nice with me. During this week, I helped her to file in an alphabetic order different bills from the vendors. I learned how to entry the bills payment to the computer. She showed me how to use Peach Tree program to entry records from different files and make checks. I observed how Nuria’s work is. She takes care of any concerns that the employees of the hotel may have. In addition, during the week I had the opportunity to meet the owner of the hotel and his sons. They are kind people; they gave me a welcome to the hotel.

Housekeeping Department

First, I want to let you know that I was sick for the last two weeks, but here I am ready to learn more about the hotel industry. Unfortunate, I could not finish two weeks at the housekeeping department because the doctor said that I needed absolute rest. I thankful to the Hotel San Carlos and the manager of the housekeeping department for let me rest at home. However, I will return for a week to this department after I done with the other three departments that are left. Well, last week I feel better thank to God, so I returned to the housekeeping department for a week. I had the opportunity to know that the housekeeping department’s work is hard. On the other hand, it is great to see that they work in team, and their relationship at work it is amazing. In addition, I learned that I cannot justice people as the way they look; I should wait until I know them better before I say anything. All the employees at this department treated me very well. During my stay at this department, I helped do the laundry and clean the lobby. The manager of the housekeeping department said that when I return for a week at this department, she would train me to do room and how to supervise the room attended.

Maint department

As I said you last week, I have been at the Maint department for the last two weeks. I learned and observed that the Maint department’s work is hard and difficult sometimes. In this department, I have trained the following: how to service the pool as cleaning, testing water, and cleaning pool deck up keep of pool; be able to doing works orders from the Front Desk and Housekeeping; programming card door locks, changing light bulbs in hallways and rooms; cleaning alleyway and trash can area; also I help make a flag.

At the Maint department

This pass week, I had begun at the Maint Department. I will be there this week too. In this department, I have to work with only men. They treat very well and respect me. I have been learning different things that the department of Maint does; I never thought I would do. However, I am mix up emotionally, because of the policy of the hotel to wear pants. I never used pants in my whole life. However, Nuria, the human resource said that there is no other option for me. Next week I will tell you what I have been learning during my stay at the main department.

My experience at the front desk of the Hotel San Carlos

Hello!

I want to let know that I am happy do to my internship at the Hotel San Carlos. Time goes and I finished my first two weeks at the front desk. My first week at the hotel was very busy, as I told you last week, but the second week the hotel was like 85 percent full, not the same as the last week. However, I am grateful to all the staffs and the manager that are working at there because they treated me well.
This is the first time that I am working in a hotel. At school, my teachers taught me how hospitality industries work, but the real work is more difference than theory. In theses, two weeks I had the opportunity to learn from the staffs of the front desk how to treat guests. Sometimes maybe staffs do not agree with guests, but still have to treat them with respect and try to make they feel that they are at home.
I had been trained how to answers the switchboard, take reservations, confirm reservations, change reservations, check guests in and out plus answers all inquiries regarding the hotel from its guests. However, sometimes guests called or asked me things that I do not know. As I do not have the answers to guest’s inquiries, I have to transfer the call or ask them please to wait until whoever works with me, can help them.
From now, I finished the first department and I will move to the next department next week. Even though, I still have two days left at the front desk, but I will not return to it, until I done with the others departments. I will have a change to review what I have been learned through different weeks at my last two weeks at the hotel.

Next week, I will move to different department, so until next week I will let you know what would be my duties.

My first week at the Hotel San Carlos

My internship at the hotel San Carlos began last Monday January 26 trough May 5, 2009. As, I told you last week, the first day of my internship I met the general manager. We discussed more about what I will do during my internship at the hotel. Hotel San Carlos has six departments: Front Desk, Maintenance, Housekeep, Administration, and Restaurant & Sales. I will be working two weeks on each department, and the last two weeks will be dividing on the five first departments, two days at each one.

The first department that I have been is the front desk. In this department, I will be trained on how to answers the switchboard, take reservations, confirm reservations, change reservations, check guests in and out plus answers all inquiries regarding the hotel from its guests. The hotel was busy this week; there are conventions at downtown, which mean the hotel has a full house. However, the manager of the front desk let her employees to know that I am there to learn and help as well. Everybody is nice and treat me with respect. Even though, I receive more help from Nuria Sawyer the human resource and accounting of the hotel, she helps me with any concern that I have.

Now, let me tell you a little bit about the Hotel San Carlos at downtown Phoenix.
The Hotel San Carlos recognized as a Historic Hotel of America. Old style elevators remind guest of the days when an attendant used to have to pull the lever while traditional sinks in all the bathrooms remain in tact. When guest step through the doors of the Hotel San Carlos, they will experience the touch of a glamorous past. The ambiance of the Italian Renaissance-inspired Hotel San Carlos blends nostalgic elegance with gracious Southwestern hospitality and impeccable service.

ggracida's internship at the Hotel San Carlos

Hello Everybody!
My name is Gabina Gracida; I am exciting that this spring semester will be my last semester at school. I hope to graduate this May. My major is tourism development management. Hotel and Restaurant Inspector will be an ideal type of job for me because I like to travel and meet people are around the world and learn about different cultures. The AAA National Company is seeking dynamic, enthusiastic, and highly detail-oriented individuals to complete onsite assessments of lodgings, restaurants, campgrounds, and attraction for potential AAA approval. The AAA Company is looking for individuals who are passionate about travel and food, which is what I want to do. In addition, the requirements for this job include a bachelor’s degree, which I will accomplish this spring, when I graduate with my degree in Tourism Development and Management. I believe it will be helpful, because this job required having background in hospitality and traveling experience. For that reason, I would do my internship at The Hotel San Carlos Downtown Phoenix; I would do my best in order to earn experience.

I met with the general manager at The Hotel San Carlos, last Thursday and he said that on Monday I would start my internship at there. I still do not know my real duties, even though he said that I will begin on the front desk and then move on other department, but we will talk more about that tomorrow.
The general manager recall what we have been learning at ASU that at the hospitality industry are important to be friendly, and courtesy, and also every customer deserve to be treat with respect.

I wish everybody good luck with your intern.