Intern Profile: Emily Petraglia

As a senior I have had a chance to experience great opportunities, including working at Event Services in the Union.  I have worked in the catering department since freshman year and have worked my way up to an intern. As a catering intern, I am given many opportunities that other caterers have not experienced.  My tasks as a catering intern include: setting up events, helping train new employees, facilitating tasks, managing the event after the manager leaves, interacting with customers, serving meals, and the most importantly, customer service.  I feel that in any job customer service will always be present.  There are always going to be incidences where one has to please someone else.  With the customer service and management skills I have enhanced, I have come out of my internship with a greater respect for the people who plan events.  Not many people realize what goes on behind the scenes to ensure that every event runs smoothly.    

I feel that my internship has prepared me for my future by strengthening my ability to manage customers, employees, and myself.  My communication major has prepared me to hold a lot of different positions.  However, having this catering internship under my belt made me realize that, if I need to, I can perhaps one day become an Event Manager or Event Planner.