Are you looking for a summer internship? Well, look no further, because Grand Palms Resort is the place for you! Let me assure you when I say that interning here is a wonderful experience full of growth and learning opportunities. The most rewarding of it all is meeting and getting to know the great people that vacation and work at Grand Palms Resort, including the other interns.
To apply, click here.
First Impressions
As part of our college requirements to graduate, we must complete an internship. It was vital for each of us to find a place that would provide us hands on experience and help us determine our future. After our interview process and finding out we were accepted as interns, we met via Zoom to meet everyone for the first time, including some of the managers we would be working with during the summer. After the first Zoom meeting, I could barely believe that I had landed such a great opportunity. I could tell how excited the management was for us to come and provide us a memorable experience. They believed in us, and that meant so much to me.
Upon arrival at the Resort, Emma stated, "My first impression of the Resort was that it was a lot bigger than I was expecting it to be, and the grounds are very well kept and pretty." Though the physical appearance of Grand Palms Resort is nice, this isn't what impacted us most; the quality of the people did. Regarding her first impression of the Resort staff, Sadie said, "My first impression of the Resort was one of acceptance. Everyone here has welcomed me with open arms!" The kindness of the staff at Grand Palms Resort was so refreshing to us all, and we felt welcomed by them immediately.
Polynesian Pool Party
When we all accepted the internship, it was expected of us to design an event for guests that would happen weekly. In the past, they had done a Polynesian event, but they wanted to reinvent the venue, and that was where we came in. We met a few times before moving to South Carolina to brainstorm what activities we could possibly do during the event. Some of the ideas that we brought to life were as follows:
Movie showing of Moana
Polynesian inspired crafts (painting)
Hula lessons that we taught ourselves
Photo booth backdrop for guests to take photos
'Ulu Maika (Hawaiian lawn game)
The schedule that was implemented included our ideas and some ideas from years past:
Tie Dye T-Shirts and Polynesian Crafts
Bingo
DJ for Dance Party/Karaoke
Free Fire & Hula Show
Using the photo booth backdrop and 'Ulu Maika were all things that happened throughout the entire day.
Having the opportunity to assist in planning such a large scale event was a rewarding experience for all of us. It helped us learn how to better work together, be adaptable, and do it all with a smile on our faces. Seeing the reactions of the happy guests made all of our hard work worth it in the end.
To learn more about our summer event, Grand Palm Resort's Polynesian Pool Party, click here.
Experience the Workings of the Resort
Grand Palms Resort management gave us wonderful learning opportunities to see the many different aspects of what happens behind the scenes at the Resort. We were amazed at all hard work and dedication that goes into creating an exceptional experience for the guests.
Some of the things we were able to do beyond activities were:
Drive the complimentary beach shuttle taking guests to and from the beach
Do pre-arrival condo inspections with the maintenance team
Write blog articles (like this one) for the Resort's website and generate social media content for the Resort
Shadow the General Manager for the day
Create the work schedule for the Recreation Department
Experience cleaning condos for arriving guests with the hardworking housekeeping team We also had the chance to see first hand the laundry operations
Help with and be models for Resort photoshoots and video shoots
Meet with the Resort's President, Executive Vice President, and the Owner several times over the course of our internship
Calculate profit and loss for the Polynesian Pool Party event and other activities
Design advertising and signs for Resort events. Also design postcards and t-shirts to sell in the gift shop
Do voice recordings for the Resort's automated phone attendant
See the front desk in action on its busiest check-in days.
Outings with our Preferred Partners
One thing that made me feel valued and appreciated as an intern was the Grand Palms Resort management's generosity towards us. They took us on multiple outings to visit different parts of Myrtle Beach to get to know the area better and to have fun. Many of these outing locations are our Preferred Partners, meaning that they offer Grand Palms Resort guests discounts if they go to their venues. Below are some of the places we visited over the summer:
Prestwick Country Club (Preferred Partner): Do you want the golf experience of a country club with the flexibility of a public course? Then Prestwick Country Club is the place to do it!
Ripley's Aquarium (Preferred Partner) : A great family friendly activity that adults and kids alike will enjoy. Their shark tank is very impressive, filled with many different species.
Pirate's Voyage: Who doesn't love dinner and a show? This action packed pirate's themed evening will leave you speechless. It's one of the most popular attractions in Myrtle Beach.
Brookgreen Gardens (Preferred Partner): Enjoy art, nature, and history all in one place! The gardens are beautiful and the variety of flower species you encounter there is amazing.
Wonders Theatre (Preferred Partner): A magic show the whole family will enjoy! From card tricks, to illusions, to dance numbers, you're sure to be entertained all night long.
Houseboat Excursion with the Resort Owner
Parasailing
Why Should You Apply for this Internship?
Each of us had unique and exciting experiences that made this a memorable summer. Here is what each of us had to say about our experience at Grand Palms Resort:
Sadie: "I have had a great experience working at Grand Palms Resort! As soon as I got here I was welcomed with open arms by all of the staff members. These people have shown me what hospitality looks like. I look forward to implementing all the skills I have learned as I finish my education."
Maddie: "This summer has been awesome! I love how we are able to explore the different departments in hospitality management including recreation, housekeeping, management, and food and beverage. We are also able to interact one-on-one with guests, giving us a chance to use our problem-solving skills and see what southern hospitality is all about. I would recommend this internship to anyone interested in hospitality management or to someone who loves the beach and working with people."
Jenny: "This summer has been a great experience for me. I have loved trying new things. Grand Palms Resort has taken really good care of us interns and has given us lots of opportunities to really experience what Myrtle Beach has to offer. I have loved getting to work closely with the other interns and employees; everyone here is so nice and fun to be around. It has been one of the best summers of my life!"
Emma: "This summer has been so great and I've learned a lot throughout this experience. Working with people from all over and really trying to create the best experience for everyone can sometimes be challenging, but it has also been fun. My favorite thing has definitely been meeting people from all over and getting to spend time with them."
Kellan: "I have learned a lot about how to create a great work environment this summer. Grand Palms Resort does a great job of making their employees feel valued and part of a team. I am grateful for this example and I hope to be able to find other work spaces like this."
Emily: "One thing that I was reminded of was the value of relationships, whether that is in the workforce or in my personal life; all relationships are important. Working in a place that values their employees and listens to their feedback can be a rarity at times, so working for a place that values that this summer gives me hope for my future work experiences."
A huge "Thank You" to Andy Wolfe, General Manager; Dave Nelson, Executive Vice President; and Reese Holman, Guest Services Manager for providing us a great experience this summer. All of us learned so much from each of you and we appreciate you taking a chance on us this summer. It was a summer we will never forget!
Interested in an Internship at Grand Palms Resort?
Summer internships at Grand Palms Resort start in April-September, with flexible start and end dates. If a summer internship can't fit into your schedule, no worries, internships are available year round. Please click here to apply. For any questions you may have, contact hr@grandpalmsresortmb.com.
To follow Grand Palms Resort on social media, click here.
