I have to say, I really do enjoy having this blog. And I’m glad that my husband finds it cute every time I whip out my camera and take a picture of my food or anything really. Even today, before we headed out to Endicott, he asked if I wanted him to take my picture during the panel I was speaking on. As nice as the gesture was, I decided to pass.
The day started early for us. Well mostly me since David didn’t come home until 6:30am from his overnight security job, so he was still sleeping. I didn’t feel like running so I put in the Shoulders and Arms DVD from P90X. If you haven’t done this workout series yet, I highly recommend it! After I did the first program, I felt stronger than ever and had definition that I never thought I could have. It had been awhile since I’d done P90X though so my arms were pretty sore after and shampooing was difficult. 
My breakfast (which went unpictured) was egg whites with chicken sausage mixed in, English muffins with Teddie peanut butter and a sliced apple. I had my usual cup of coffee too. This time I tried mixing pumpkin spice in the grinds but I don’t think I put enough. It was pumpkin-y enough. Although now I think it’s time to breakout the peppermint flavors.
David and I spent the majority of the afternoon shopping on amazon.com. Don’t know if we really got any Cyber Monday deals but the fact that we didn’t have to leave the house, shopping was fun. We were able to buy for his sister, dad and brother-in-law. I’ll probably go out to the mall sometime during the week when it’s not busy though. Sometimes it’s just nice to hold something before I buy it.
Around 1pm it was time to head to Endicott! Last week I got an e-mail from one of the professors giving us some guidelines on what to talk about during the 1 hour and 15 minute Senior Internship class. At Endicott, we were required to have 3 internships (2 1-month and 1 full semester) and I can’t say enough good things about the program and how it prepared me for the real world. He chose four “accomplished young alumni…who opted for a diverse career path [that] reflects the broad spectrum of our hospitality industry.” In addition to me (a concierge), there was a community resources coordinator from a retirement village, a food and beverage manager from a country club and a GM of a restaurant in Boston. The GM couldn’t make it, so it was the three of us. These are the topics they wanted us to cover:
1) Where do you currently work and how did you get there? I currently work at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston. I was recruited by a concierge who works there after a position became available. I had known the team for about 3 years and they were excited to have me on board. I had also interned in their sales department 5 years ago so I knew the property and some of the employees.
2) What did you do right out of college? How did you obtain your first job? Immediately out of college I continued working at Bugaboo Creek (where I had worked in college). For the next two months I did research on different companies and sent out my resume. The Charles Hotel was the first property to call me back and I jumped at the chance of being a member of their team. I originally wanted sales and catering, but they offered me a front desk position. Blessing in disguise, I tell ya.
3) What was the job market situation? How did people react to your resume? The job market was pretty expansive and the jobs were there. I narrowed my search though because I really wanted to work in catering and plan weddings and social events. If I had broadened my search I may have seen more options out there. But then again, what I did got me to where I am today and I couldn’t be happier. And most of the places I did interview at were impressed by the fact that I had Endicott on my resume. Their internship program is well known through the industry.
4) What made you choose your specific career direction (or did it just happen?) For me, it kind of just happened. Throughout my 10 months at the front desk at the Charles, I had tried to work my way into sales, but HR never let me. Apparently, I was doing a good job and they didn’t want to lose my “talent”. I then started taking notice of the concierge across the lobby. Sometimes their calls would be forwarded to us and I was more than happy to assist the guest. It was kind of fun. After a while, the concierge started to notice me and when the position opened up, they encouraged me to interview and I was offered the job.
5) Looking back, are you surprised at where you are now? Definitely. I never imagined that this is where my career would take me. I never even knew what I concierge was or what they did when I was in college. I remember going to a resort and seeing an empty desk with that sign on it. I would think “Huh, nice…word.” I was never even outgoing enough to think that I could work with the public on a day to day basis. But I couldn’t be happier with how things ended up.
6) How did you integrate yourself into the organization? Network! Network! Network! Get yourself out into the city and get to know different vendors and concierge. I joined the Greater Boston Concierge Association for just that reason. Within the hotel organization, I made sure to get to know everyone from housekeeping to engineering to in room dining. Even though I’m in the front office, I work with these departments on a day to day basis. Just get your face out there!
We were told to give parting words to the students before we left and I have to say, summing it all up was tough. Every one’s experience will be different and directions will be different. But one thing I think that is really important is to take every experience you get in any job and take it with you throughout your career. My job as a waitress helped with my dealing with the public as a concierge. Everything you do can have an impact for the future. Don’t discount a job if it isn’t your dream job because it could lead you in a direction that you never thought you would want to go in.
That was a fun panel. I always love talking about my job because not a lot of people know about the career and it is so much fun! On our way back David and I stopped at Evans New York Deli in Marblehead (thank you Phantom Gourmet!) and grabbed a sandwich. I didn’t have my camera with me, but I got the same sandwich that I had last time we were here: the Amanda with turkey, bacon and mango sauce on a whole wheat wrap.
Once we got home, David crashed since he had to be at work at 10PM. While he slept, I made dinner! I had heard so many good things about Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken so I had to try it. It tasted just like the take-out chicken! It was unbelievable! I added brown rice and a salad and set the table for us.
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What an eventful day! Nothing on the schedule until Sunday when David and I run the Jingle 5k in Providence. Hope everyone has a wonderful week! We’ll see if I can come up with some other posts during the week. I do have plans for an apple-type dessert. Crumble, bread, pie? Who knows!
FORGOT TO ADD!!! Matt over at Kitchen of a Runner is having a coconut peanut butter giveaway! Check it out!!
