Reiko Wilkinson
Swiss Hotel Management School

• How did Anantara capture your interest? Why did you choose Anantara ?

Anantara is a newly emerging, fast growing luxury brand. It is for these reasons that attracted me to choose Anantara Resort in Koh Samui, Thailand as the ideal resort to gain significant insight into the hospitality industry.

• Has your view of Anantara pre-employment and post employment changed. If so, in what way?

My view has changed in the sense that my expectations were met and exceeded. Anantara’s future growth provides many varied prospects, all exciting and all challenging.

• What was your job?
  
  
Food and Beverage Management Trainee.

• What was a typical day like?
  
  
My days were always varied as it involved working both front-of-house and back-of-house. Each morning would start with the daily morning briefing with Resort Management followed by working in the resort’s outlets. As I become more competent in understanding daily operations, I was tasked with the revision of each outlets standard operating procedures followed by the training and implementation of these new service standards and practices.

• What were the interesting aspects of your job?
  
  
In addition to the revision of each outlets standard operating procedure, I was made responsible of implementing and initiating an in-house meal incentive project. Although daunting to begin, the challenge to succeed was compelling and this was a project that developed my professional capacity.

• Did the internship match what you had in mind? Better, different? Please describe.
  
  
My internship exceeded my expectations. The team at Anantara gave me the opportunity to experience much more than solely working in the daily operation of one outlet. I was challenged and empowered to be innovative, which combined, developed both my practical and theoretical knowledge of the hospitality industry.

• How do see your career path and future opportunities in the industry?
  
  
The opportunities in this industry are endless. I fe el very confident that upon graduating and combined with the valuable experiences I have gained while on my internships, I will be well prepared to start my career within the hospitality industry.

• What advice would you have for other graduates about succeeding in a luxury resort hospitality company?
  
  
I believe within a luxury resort hospitality company you “reap the seeds that you sow”. A resort such as Anantara requires not only theoretical understanding but also an innovative and resourceful mindset. It is about recognizing the needs and wants of the client before they do and taking the initiative to act independently.