I am grateful my job allows me to spend time with students in our high school. I also have the opportunity to serve as a Board member for the organization YOUth Lead. From these experiences I am often asked what advice I have in terms of entering college and the working world. I love getting asked this question because I love the opportunities I had while at UA and after college in my first jobs.

While at UA, I was studying to get a degree in Restaurant, Hotel and Meetings Management with a minor in General Business. My degree required an internship or so many hours working in the industry. I chose to work in the industry getting a job as a server/receptionist at NorthRiver Yacht Club. I had never waited tables a day in my life when I was hired. I was as green as the grass on their beautifully manicured golf course. I was barely 19.

When I first started working there, I thought to myself “What in the world did I get myself into?” However, as the weeks and months passed, by I began to learn more about the private club industry and started helping more and more with weddings, getting the opportunity to be the bride and groom’s special assistant (basically catering to their every need- bring them food, drink, bustle the wedding gown, and even assisting a bride to the bathroom (it’s not easy in a wedding dress!).

I found myself a few short years later being asked to help in the catering department while the manager was on maternity leave. I had just turned 21 that summer and was starting to plan events for the first time. I was scared to death but Chef Melissa in her own gruff way had me under her wing. From the experience that summer, I was offered a full-time job when I graduated as the catering manager’s assistant making a whopping $12.25 an hour with benefits and 5 whole days off for the year (vacation and sick time).

I loved working in catering at the Club. The food was amazing and the backdrop was and is still breath taking. It’s the most elegant place I have ever had the privilege of working. Years passed, and the opportunity came to serve as the Membership Director. I was almost 28 and had my first “big girl” position complete with a budget and a new office at the Golf Club. My GM, Michael Ryan was instrumental in teaching me the ins and outs of the club management business and how to best serve our 800 plus members.

Finally, my husband and I made the decision to move, leaving the place I had worked for almost 10 years -from 19 to 29 years of age behind. It was bittersweet to leave a place I considered to be “home” and that helped raise me into adulthood. I cannot begin to tell you the people there that I still miss and that I learned so much from- Kathy (my first boss and catering manager at the time), Michael (my GM), Gene (my GM during my catering career), Matt (Clubhouse Manager), Ashley and Scot (F&B Managers), Chef Melissa, Chef Melina, Ruby (line cook you better not mess with!), Misty (who is in charge of accounting and was a huge help with my budget), Jada (the most fierce fitness director I know!), Kayla (my partner in crime near the end of my career) and so many more I know I am missing!

I share all of this simply because I want kids to know that when in college or after high school, if you are able to work while in school or training, find a job. A lot of times, when looking for your first job, a lot of places require so many years of experience. From my time working during college, I was able to show I had a degree and experience. If you are as blessed as I was, you may even find people and a place that help shape you into an adult and that’s priceless.

To my friends from NorthRiver, I appreciate you giving me the opportunity so many years ago- taking a chance on a 19-year girl who was completely clueless about the club industry. This experience will forever hold a special place in my heart as you all do.

 

 

 

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I am grateful my job allows me to spend time with students in our high
school. I also have the opportunity to serve as a Board member for the
organization YOUth Lead. From these experiences I am often asked what advice I
have in terms of entering college and the working world. I love getting asked
this question because I love the opportunities I had while at UA and after
college in my first jobs.

While at UA, I was studying to get a degree in Restaurant, Hotel and
Meetings Management with a minor in General Business. My degree required an
internship or so many hours working in the industry. I chose to work in the
industry getting a job as a server/receptionist at NorthRiver Yacht Club. I had
never waited tables a day in my life when I was hired. I was as green as the
grass on their beautifully manicured golf course. I was barely 19.

When I first started working there, I thought to myself “What in the
world did I get myself into?” However, as the weeks and months passed, by
I began to learn more about the private club industry and started helping more
and more with weddings, getting the opportunity to be the bride and groom’s
special assistant (basically catering to their every need- bring them food,
drink, bustle the wedding gown, and even assisting a bride to the bathroom
(it’s not easy in a wedding dress!).

I found myself a few short years later being asked to help in the catering
department while the manager was on maternity leave. I had just turned 21 that
summer and was starting to plan events for the first time. I was scared to
death but Chef Melissa in her own gruff way had me under her wing. From the
experience that summer, I was offered a full-time job when I graduated as the
catering manager’s assistant making a whopping $12.25 an hour with benefits and
5 whole days off for the year (vacation and sick time).

I loved working in catering at the Club. The food was amazing and the
backdrop was and is still breath taking. It’s the most elegant place I have
ever had the privilege of working. Years passed, and the opportunity came to
serve as the Membership Director. I was almost 28 and had my first “big
girl” position complete with a budget and a new office at the Golf Club.
My GM, Michael Ryan was instrumental in teaching me the ins and outs of the
club management business and how to best serve our 800 plus members.

Finally, my husband and I made the decision to move, leaving the place I had
worked for almost 10 years -from 19 to 29 years of age behind. It was
bittersweet to leave a place I considered to be “home” and that
helped raise me into adulthood. I cannot begin to tell you the people there
that I still miss and that I learned so much from- Kathy (my first boss and
catering manager at the time), Michael (my GM), Gene (my GM during my catering
career), Matt (Clubhouse Manager), Ashley and Scot (F&B Managers), Chef
Melissa, Chef Melina, Ruby (line cook you better not mess with!), Misty (who is
in charge of accounting and was a huge help with my budget), Jada (the most
fierce fitness director I know!), Kayla (my partner in crime near the end of my
career) and so many more I know I am missing!

I share all of this simply because I want kids to know that when in college
or after high school, if you are able to work while in school or training, find
a job. A lot of times, when looking for your first job, a lot of places require
so many years of experience. From my time working during college, I was able to
show I had a degree and experience. If you are as blessed as I was, you may
even find people and a place that help shape you into an adult and that’s
priceless.

To my friends from NorthRiver, I appreciate you giving me the opportunity so
many years ago- taking a chance on a 19-year girl who was completely clueless
about the club industry. This experience will forever hold a special place in
my heart as you all do.