Mary Estes, senior, hospitality management
Hometown: Derby, Kansas
Internship: Pinstripes, a dining and entertainment venue that features bowling, bocce, event space and weekend music.
What did you do during your internship?
My internship this summer took me on a journey to Chicago, Illinois. I was a catering sales intern for the Italian-American Bistro, Pinstripes. During the last three weeks of my internship, I had the opportunity to transition to the Minneapolis, Minnesota, location, the top catering sales Pinstripes location, to start working as a catering sales manager.
During my short stay in Minneapolis, I assisted in implementing a strategic marketing plan with the intention to maintain and exceed current and future sales opportunities. After the project our sales increased by 19.7 percent and our future reservations increased by 67 percent, compared to the last year, same period sales.
What experiences at K-State were most helpful in your internship?
Opportunities to grow in my networking skills, proved to be the most useful during my internship this summer. These skills were honed by having the opportunity to be a member of Hospitality Management Society as a member, vice president and currently the president. This club has allowed me to speak with many professionals in the industry and have provided terrific networking opportunities. I also have had many opportunities to grown in my leaderships, though pursuing a minor in Leadership Studies.
Why are you interested in a career in the hospitality business?
It has always brought me much joy to serve other people. In hospitality you have the ability to make someone’s day a little bit brighter, no matter if you are directly interacting with guests or if you are working behind the scenes.
Hospitality encompasses a team effort for one main goal, guest satisfaction and that it self if something pretty special. During my internship this summer, though it was a sales focused position, I began to see beyond the menu prices. We were also selling our trust to our clients.
One of the most sacred times is the sharing of a meal and the conversation that flows because of that meal. It was a tremendous feeling to have been able to contribute to the dialog that was created by the sharing of a Pinstripes meal.
What’s so special about the K-State hospitality management program?
Students receive in-depth direction from all instructors at KSU but especially those professors directly related to Human Ecology and the industry of hospitality. Their direction and experience in the field has shed light on industry practices, given students hands on learning opportunities with the requirement of internships, and have provided students with the motivation to become successful in the industry of hospitality.