Gillian Hiscocks

Responsibilities

My responsibilities as an Event Management Intern at Hyperion Field Club include preparing for and facilitating all events the club puts on. This is anything from a golf outing, to a business meeting, to a wedding. I also gained diverse experience in bartending, serving, and contributing to meetings regarding events. Working at a country club provides me with excellent experience and exposure to every type of event that you could imagine.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment during my internship experience was putting on our ladies' guest day golf event without my manager and just with the help of the banquet staff. My manager was sick the day of the event, so I came in and got to work. I set the room with linens, chair covers, place settings, and silverware. I successfully pulled off an elegant lunch with the help of a few servers. It felt good to complete an event as lead by myself and see that I am learning a lot!

Learning experience

The greatest lesson I learned through my experience is how important having a team behind you in the events world is. There are so many moving parts, and it's important to have everyone on the same page, from banquet staff to management. I have seen a few events where communication has fallen through the cracks, and it's so easy for details to fall out of place. With a solid team with excellent communication, there will be little room for error.

What advice would you give?

My advice for future students in my major is to take a leap and get out of their comfort zone. Yes, I have learned a lot from class over the past two years, but learning in a hands-on position at Hyperion this summer has been amazing. I now know how to create and analyze a BEO, run an event, and communicate with clients, which seemed daunting in class. Explore your options, and find an internship that piques your interest and stimulates your learning!