Week One (June 8 to June 12)
Time for business! This week has just begun. On my first day I met Chris (resident district manager) and Russ (associate director for housing operations and dining services) at the Overlook. When I first walked in I immediately understood why it was named "The Overlook" From the seating area to the right of the building there is a beautiful scene that overlooks a small lake with two fountains. In the lake are ducks, swans, bass and turtles. Chris introduced me to a ton of friendly people and what seemed like the entire staff of the university. He gave me a tour of the facilities, different dining areas, and a basic overview of the entire campus from the gym, library, class room lecture halls, etc... The campus is beautiful and much smaller than what I am used to at Rutgers and from different areas of the campus it oversees the mountains which is such a beautiful sight.
Advice: Don't be overwhelmed your first day, everyone you meet you'll meet again! So don't stress about remembering names. You have 8 weeks :)
Advice: Don't be overwhelmed your first day, everyone you meet you'll meet again! So don't stress about remembering names. You have 8 weeks :)
The Overlook
This week I also met Kyle (catering director) and Lori (catering coordinator). Both Kyle and Lori are such friendly people and made me feel welcome right away. This week Kyle and Lori showed me how they cater events. Kyle showed me menus from recent and future events from her HUGE binder. Lori mentioned since it is only summer her binder is not as full as it should be, which I can't even image how much bigger it could get.
I learned just from observing that Catering takes a ton of organization because the staff must pay close attention to detail. As Kyle was making phone calls to confirm her employees attendance I asked if University students work during her events. With such high volume catering events the staff Kyle selects are mostly all experienced and self-driven. Also, I witnessed during the day there could be as many as two to five events happening at different areas of the campus. Therefore, Kyle and Lori must stay organized so the events run smoothly. This week I also shadowed in on the Heart Stoke Ball which meant a lot for Kyle. It was great to see the event coming along. I did not stay long, but I did wave a good bye to Kyle as she ran across the hallway with a cart filled with food, plates and water containers. She is such an energetic woman!
I learned just from observing that Catering takes a ton of organization because the staff must pay close attention to detail. As Kyle was making phone calls to confirm her employees attendance I asked if University students work during her events. With such high volume catering events the staff Kyle selects are mostly all experienced and self-driven. Also, I witnessed during the day there could be as many as two to five events happening at different areas of the campus. Therefore, Kyle and Lori must stay organized so the events run smoothly. This week I also shadowed in on the Heart Stoke Ball which meant a lot for Kyle. It was great to see the event coming along. I did not stay long, but I did wave a good bye to Kyle as she ran across the hallway with a cart filled with food, plates and water containers. She is such an energetic woman!
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| The table setting for the Heart Stoke Ball |
This weekend I am finishing off at the Overlook. On Friday I worked with Shawn on 5 different seasonal salads for the student achievement center called the William N. Pennington Student Achievement Center (PSAC). We added more color to certain salads. For example, we added cherry tomatoes and/or shredded carrots for salads that needed more eye appeal. Of all the things I learned today is that people eat with their eyes and presentation is key.
First weekend
My first weekend at Reno was incredible. During dinner at the Downunder Cafe I met a group of 12 students doing research at the university. As I got to know them better I learned that each person was from different areas of the United States like Chicago, Puerto Rico, Minnesota, Washington D.C and Vermont. I am super excited to have met such friendly people just as eager to explore Nevada as I am.
Future Advice: Be friendly to everyone, put yourself out there and make friends. There are people just as eager to go out and explore just like you!
That night a few of us walked to the Food Trucks not too far from campus. There was tons of street food and live music. It was a great time and just the beginning of all that Reno has to offer. Afterward, a few of us stayed by the Truckee river and cooled off in the water .
Truckee River
The next day my new friends invited me to zephyr cove Lake Tahoe. It was a great atmosphere and the weather was beautiful. Since Lake Tahoe has a higher altitude the sun is extremely strong.
Future Advice: wear lots of sunscreen/lotion
