Each summer, students from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics acquire real-world professional skills through internships. In each installment of this series, an outstanding Lerner student will be profiled, sharing their internship experience, challenges they have overcome and what their future holds!
Lauren Whitman, Class of 2023, hospitality business management major with minors in event management and beverage management, spent her summer as a rotational intern at Myers Park Country Club.
Lerner: How did you find out about this internship? Why did you pursue it?
Whitman: I found out about this internship through the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), which is a registered student organization that I have been involved with since I was a freshman. I chose to pursue it because I had the opportunity to speak to a UD graduate who currently worked there and she really helped me solidify my decision to come work here.
Lerner: What did you learn from this internship that you think you would not have learned elsewhere?
Whitman: This internship has taught me so much, but the biggest piece of advice that I have learned is that no matter where you work, as long as you are always constantly trying your best then that is all that matters. I have also learned a lot more about the different areas within a singular country club and how all those departments fit together in order to make a country club great.
Lerner: What is the most exciting task or project that you have done or are currently doing in your role?
Whitman: The most exciting tasks that I have gotten to do are doing aeration week on the golf course and getting the opportunity to learn more about how a golf course is truly maintained. Another exciting task was working maintenance shifts and getting to help open up the club.
Lerner: What is an example of a time where you were able to apply what you’ve learned at Lerner to your role?
Whitman: At Lerner, we have always been taught to do things that are out of your comfort zone. This internship has definitely been something out of my comfort zone considering that it is located in North Carolina, which is 9 hours away from home.
Lerner: How do you think this internship will push you closer to your professional goals?
Whitman: This internship has provided me with so many great opportunities to make connections with other clubs around the Charlotte area. By consistently building my connections, it will definitely be helpful when it comes time to look for a job after I graduate.
Lerner: Did you face any challenges during your internship? If so, what was the issue and how did you overcome it?
Whitman: I have definitely faced issues with this internship, but there will always be issues at any job. The way that I was able to overcome these issues was by taking a step back and truly looking at the bigger picture of why I am here as well as reaching out to my supervisor to see if she can impart any wisdom regarding the situations.
Lerner: What are your career plans once your internship ends?
Whitman: Once my internship is over, I will be returning to the University of Delaware to finish my last year of my undergraduate program.