Ella Cantu interned at Kirkland Events and Destination Services and gained experience in event management, hospitality, and customer service.
Why did you choose this internship?
I chose to work with Kirkland Events because I have always been fascinated by the magic that's created through hospitality and event management. As an Applied Humanities major, I wanted an environment where my skills in communication, cultural awareness, and human connection could be put to a practical, fast-paced test. Kirkland Events has an excellent reputation for being well-connected all throughout South Florida and delivering highly personalized community and corporate events. This aligned perfectly with my desire to learn how to manage a broad range of events. This opportunity felt like the perfect bridge between my academic focus on human dynamics and career aspirations in hospitality.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
My time was deliberately split between back end office tasks and on-site field execution, giving me a multi-dimensional look at the industry. In the office, I focused on the structured planning phases of destination management. This included digitizing client portfolios, organizing manifests, tracking finances, and taking physical inventory of our event props. I also utilized design apps to customize restaurant menus, site maps, and itineraries tailored to specific high-profile corporate groups. Conversely, I was frequently called out of the office to work the floor alongside our dynamic field staff at luxury hotels. On-site, I supported events by managing crowd logistics, directing foot traffic, assisting with venue setups, and operating hospitality desks.
What new skills did you practice, learn, or develop in this internship?
This internship pushed me out of my comfort zone often, forcing me to figure out my own style of approaching high-profile guests. I quickly realized that there is a massive difference between reading about hospitality and actually standing on the floor of a world-class resort. I had to learn how to navigate the initial awkwardness of interacting with corporate clients and managing last-minute adjustments. In pushing through the discomfort, I developed the invaluable skill of proactive problem-solving. I learned how to bring attention to potential obstacles and prevent them before they occurred. Most importantly, I learned that true customer service in this industry means anticipating a client's needs before they even voice them.
How did your Applied Humanities major coursework help prepare you or give you unique insight for the internship experience?
My Applied Humanities coursework gave me the critical framework necessary to look past the surface-level chaos of live events. In destination management, you are dealing with a massive web of human relationships operating under a high-stress balancing act. My education helped me analyze these group dynamics and approach people with empathy and strategic awareness. It gave me the insight to recognize that professionalism is not a rigid, one-size-fits-all script. Instead of trying to mimic a robotic corporate persona that felt unnatural, my humanities background empowered me to use my own voice. This allowed me to communicate effectively and build authentic trust with the stakeholders I interacted with on the floor.
What was your favorite part of your internship?
My absolute favorite part of the internship was working the floor at luxury hotels alongside our field staff. I quickly realized that I thrive on the rush of live event execution, watching a venue transform, and seeing the attendees' reactions. This hands-on experience was deeply meaningful because it helped me filter my professional likes and dislikes in real-time. It proved to me that I love the human-centric, personal connections that make hospitality so special. While I found backend data entry and spreadsheet verification tedious, being on the floor gave me the perfect stage to stand out. It allowed me to go above and beyond while building genuine relationships with resort staff and hotel event managers.
How has your internship experience influenced your plans for your future?
This internship served as the exact mission I needed to clarify my direction within the hospitality industry. Working alongside the field staff at luxury resorts proved to me that I thrive in high-energy environments centered around real-time human connection. I now know that I want to pursue a career path that keeps me on the floor interacting with clients rather than confined to backend data entry. Navigating the initial discomfort of high-touch customer service actually built my confidence and helped me discover my own authentic professional voice. Ultimately, this summer validated my passion for destination management and showed me how to use my humanities background to stand out in a competitive luxury market.
What advice do you have for other students as they search for and begin their internship?
My biggest advice to other students is to approach your internship as your own personal search-and-discovery mission. Welcome the moments that make you feel uncomfortable because that discomfort is exactly where your growth happens. Take the time to discover your own unique voice rather than copying a style that does not feel natural to you. Finally, look for ways to over-execute and make a real impression on the clients, vendors, and professionals around you.