Working on Hamilton Island for her 9-month internship, Jenna is soaking up the sun and the good times! Working at the luxury Manta Ray Restaurant as a Food & Beverage attendant, she loves the opportunities that have risen while being on the island and is exploring her new surroundings.
“QRC will offer the best learning experiences and guide you to where you want to be”
Where are you doing your internship? And what is your job title?
I am completing my internship on Hamilton Island, Queensland Australia and where I am working at Manta Ray restaurant as well as other food and beverage venues across the island.
What are your main responsibilities at work?
The main responsibilities that I have are looking after the guest while they dine in at the restaurant, this means I need to make sure all the food items have been put through and nothing is missing with their order and when the food arrives it is all on the table, drinks are topped up when needed, water service is what is closely monitored as it does get very hot with the tropical weather. Checking in with the guest is also extremely important because it allows me to give feedback to the chefs, this could be for any reason, as they would enjoy the food or have something that isn’t right with what they ordered.
How did Adam/KP help with your internship placement?
Throughout looking for an internship, I gave Adam and KP ideas for where I’d like to look for a job. I had many places in mind for where I wanted to go, Adam had the connections that helped me through the process of applying, going through the interview stages and guided me with any problems that I encountered. To find what suited me best we looked through my experience and what jobs I had before my internship, which made the search easier to find the right job that would suit me best.
What have you enjoyed most about your internship?
With my internship being on an island I have incredible opportunities to work in other venues and meet more people whom I will work with daily. I also enjoy the tourist adventure across the island, like snorkeling, diving, jet skis and other activities that can be found on the island. But I would have to say the most enjoyable thing is that I have seen myself grow with my abilities in the workplace as it is a very popular island and always busy.
Any takeaways from the overall internship experience so far?
The biggest takeaway that I have encountered would be not to be afraid to put myself out there and to be recognized for my work that has come back from the guest, this positive feedback helps me to keep going with my work as I know that the guest is enjoying their time at the restaurant.
What advice would you give students preparing for an internship?
My best advice for students going on for their internship would be to keep the passion that you have and take it with you. This allows you find truly find what you are looking for and also helps the internship managers find the best place for you, whether it is overseas, in your home town or the same country you are in, this is your dream, if you can keep this mindset positive it’s not going to stop you from exploring and knowing you’ve made the right choice!
Any other tips and tricks for future students thinking of coming to QRC?
I would say that feeling scared is excepted but in a few weeks, it feels like home. It’s a steppingstone with every new adventure that you can encounter but If you know that hospitality is something you enjoy or is your passion, QRC will offer the best learning experiences and guide you to where you want to be. The opportunities that come from the course can take you around the world, just like doing an internship on Hamilton island right next to one of the world’s top beaches, Whitehaven and the Great Barrier Reef!
Learn more about our courses:
Adventure Tourism Management
Hospitality Management
Machine Learning
