Amelia Island Plantation 2
From RPTSWiki
AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION : Fernandina Beach, FL
Michelle Rojas
Summer Recreation Intern, 2006
Amelia Island Plantation
Overview of Organization:
Amelia Island Plantation is a very well known four-diamond resort, which has been preserved since 1971, and set the standard for development "In Harmony with Nature". It is located 29 miles North of Jacksonville International Airport, and overlooks the wonderful Atlantic Ocean. The resort's main source of business is mainly made of up corporate groups, conferences, and family vacations and has a variety of amenities to offer each group. Such ameities include those of world renowned golf courses that have been published in several golf magazines, their well known tennis courts, 29 swimming pools, beach rentals for the entire family, and the list goes on.
Mission Statement: ""The Amelia Island Company provides a consistently high quality total resort experience at Amelia Island Plantation by fulfilling the expectations of all who share in the experience." (from AIP website) (www.aipfl.com)
Intern Responsiblities:
I spent my time at the plantation interning in the Social Recreation Department, which allowed me to work in several different positions on a weekly basis. Every intern got the chance to experience what each job in the social recreation consisted of. The weekly jobs included: handing out towels in the hut, Kids Camp, Teens, Just for Kids, Out-Week, Manager on Duty, activities/art &crafts, etc. Although they allowed us this opportunity, I personally, did not care for most of these jobs because I do not believe they were teaching me anything having to do with my future career path, which is to be the General Manager of a resort someday. And although I thought I would have learned something during my Out-Week or Manager on Duty Week, I ended up just wandering around the plantation wondering where all the managers had gone that week (most were on vacation during my week), therefore leaving me in the dark on what a manager of a resort actually does.
Job Description:
"The intern is responsible for planning, implementing, and running various children’s programs. The intern will receive an opportunity to experience procedures in various departments within the company, attend meetings, etc. Emphasis will vary depending on business demand." (www.aipfl.com)
Requirements & Qualifications:
A student looking into a future social recreation internship must have great customer service skills, have a basic knowledge in computers and programs, have a valid driver's license (for driving the company van), and good ocean & pool swimming skills. It is also helpful if they have some experience in programming recreational activities.
Benefits & Opportunities:
Being an intern at the plantation did have some perks that kept me sane while working the long hours we were required to as interns. Such perks included 50% off discounts for dinners at certain AIP outlets, 20% off merchandise ONLY at AIP outlets, free tennis, free golf (except for golf cart rental), and free use of their workout room. We were also allowed two free meals a day, but this was not actually accessible to interns because the cafeteria's hours of operation did not coincide with our schedules, so most of the time we only got to eat once while at work because we either came in before the cafeteria opened (10:30am) or after it had already closed (3pm). All of the interns during summer also received a stipend of $250 a week, which was not sufficient to cover the cost of our own housing, which was also horrible. I think the plantation should be more aware of the housing situations that interns are put in because I know mine was a terrible experience. I had to move out twice and find another place, which wasn't easy, so I ended up staying with some interns I had met that summer, which made my life alot harder than it had to be. I believe the intern coordinator should check more often on the housing situation and do a better job of screening the people who rent their houses out to interns because many of them are difficult to deal with.
Achievements:
I don't really think that my internship at Amelia Island Plantation led to any real achievements, aside from having learned several new children's games to keep the children satisfied. I was not able to experience any of what I had gone to learn, such as what a manager of a resort does on a day to day basis. Instead, I was given the chance to brush up on my babysitting skills.
I do not recommend for any future RPTS Aggies to look into interning at Amelia Island Plantation! They overwork their employees and interns and do not make up for it. If it weren't for all of the wonderful people that I was able to meet during my internship, such as some of the managers and all of the interns, I would have cried myself to sleep every night.
Contact Information:
Name: Jennifer Lo
Position: Internship Coordinator
Email: lo.jennifer@aipfl.com
Phone: (904) 277-5904
Links:
