After my spring semester wrapped up, I headed to the “Sweetest Place on Earth” to embark on my summer adventure. I was a member of the inaugural class of the HersheyPark Leadership Development Program. As I did not have previous interns’ blogs, testimonies, or Glassdoor Reviews to look at, I went into this program with some uncertainty. Tipping the scale of uncertainty, however, was excitement. And lots of it. Excitement for a brand-new work experience. Excitement for meeting new people from all over the place. Excitement for working for such a renowned company like Hershey.
Now, back on my college campus, I have had adequate time to reflect upon my summer internship experience-and what a wonderful ride it was. From my coworkers/new friends and crazy workdays, to concerts, candy, and lots of roller coasters, I have countless memories from this summer. While I may create a future post about the internship itself – the job, the Leadership Development class, living in Hershey, etc.- I wanted to share some of the biggest lessons I learned (or saw in action) this summer.
This summer was a coming-of-age experience for me. While I definitely feel an aura of independence at college, this summer felt different. I think it was the combination of living on my own (yes, ALL the cooking and ALL the cleaning), working every day, and managing my own budget (all categories I’ve had some experience in but never to this extent) that made me feel like an adult. Yep. I said it. The A word. So many times this summer I caught myself doing something and said, “Wow, I feel old.” I guess that’s what happens when you turn twenty. Oh well, I guess it’s all downhill from here.
These lessons are timeless, and they transcend far beyond an amusement park operator’s life. Take them as you wish. Advice perhaps. Or merely as content for reflection. Back in the busy swing of college life, I see these lessons on the daily. Take a little time to think about them, and how you see them in your life. By consciously bringing to mind some of the unspoken happenings in our days, we are all better equipped to learn from mistakes and actively take on the future in ways that benefit not only ourselves but also those around us. I’d bet that mostly everyone can relate to something here.
The Power of Someone’s Name
All Hershey Entertainment and Resorts employees wear a name tag. Everybody. In the same spot. Not only does the nametag unify the organization, but it is a crucial steppingstone to genuine communication. Someone’s name is unique to him or her, and while it seems super rudimentary, it establishes line of intimate communication between two people. Logistically it makes sense for employees to know each other’s names, but I can remember multiple instances this summer when a guest addressed me by my name. How simple it was, but how special it made me feel. Use people’s names.
It Doesn’t Cost Anything to Smile
For me, one of the toughest parts of Covid (oh, have you heard of it? The global pandemic?) has been the inability to see people’s smiles under their masks. You can tell so much about a person from how his or her facial expressions change. This summer I learned that a smile can go a long way. I’m going to leave it at that, because if I keep writing I might end up with some Hallmarky aphorism. But think about how one person’s smile can make you feel…welcome, relaxed, understood.
😃
Forget About Stacy’s Mom… Dollar Tree Has Got it Going On
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s true. Living right up the road from a Dollar Tree this summer was convenience at its finest. Dollar Tree runs were an adventure in themselves, obtaining items such as gloves (yes, winter gloves at the end of May thanks to lovely Pennsylvania weather), glowsticks, Tupperware, and pineapple shaped cups. ALL the essentials and dare I say ONLY the essentials.
Green Day Rocks.
Literally and figuratively. I saw them this summer in concert at the HersheyPark Stadium. Enough said about that one.
Little Things Here, Little Things There
Whether it was Fun Sock Fridays, after hour-roller coaster rides, or free popsicles, Hershey created so many “little moments”. And it’s crazy to me how those little happenings are some of my most vivid memories from this summer. So whether it’s going out of your way to do a “little thing” for someone, or taking a few moments to reflect on small daily joys, being mindful of the positivity in your life helps you cultivate and multiply it 🙂
Time, Dependability, Consistency
Holding yourself accountable for your contributions at work is important and showing up (on time!) is half the battle. Giving your best effort is a great way to build trustworthy relationships and to establish yourself as a reliable, consistent individual.
Be a Brand, not a Commodity
This summer I was able to see first-hand what the Hershey brand is all about and what separates them from other competitors in the industry. While I don’t like to think of the human race as a “competition”, I think it’s important to consider what you bring to the table and what you have that everyone else doesn’t. Use that. Develop that. Capitalize on that.
Adulting Can be Tricky, but You Can Do It!
The first time I went to the grocery store and had to do a full order, I hesitated in the produce aisle for a short while. I had to mentally prepare to build up a stock pantry, which was something I had never done before. This summer drilled home the fact that planning ahead can be super helpful for getting everything that needs to get done, done.
Work Hard, Play Hard, and Take Rest
Going to work some days this summer, I felt like I was playing. The family-oriented atmosphere and nature of my job (sometimes, I essentially was getting paid to sit in a treehouse) showed me that having fun at work is important because without it adults get too boring and they lose the premier childlike qualities of creativity, imagination, innocence, and curiosity. I realize that “playing” at work may be impractical or nearly impossible in some industries, but I just hope that everyone finds one part of his or her life to be a kid again. So work hard, play hard, and take rest. If you don’t find the time to relax and revamp, your body will choose the time for you. I learned that the hard way this summer.
Strikethrough Savior
If you make a mistake on a legal or other very important document, use a single strikethrough line to cross it out. Don’t scribble the whole thing out. Adult lesson, but a good one, nonetheless.
READ. THE. SIGN. AND. PAY. ATTENTION
When you’re in public places, pay attention to your surroundings and read the signage. More often than not the signs contain solid information that will be helpful for you, and cause fewer headaches for others down the line.
Know Your Energy
I’m an introvert and I realized this summer, working in a loud park interacting with hundreds of people each day, that alone time is an essential for me. I value it, as it’s the time when I refuel and recharge. It’s the time when I can sit, think, and figure things out. This is a big one in college. There is no shame in saying no to plans or activities if you need some self R&R. Figure out what energizes you. What people and situations should you surround yourself with to feel your best? What do you do when you need to recharge?
Patience
Working with the general public, you will have your patience tested. I shall not lie about that. But, ultimately, having it tested is how it strengthens and grows. And patience is important for everybody, everywhere. I think if everyone were a little more patient and a little less quick to assume, judge, and act that we would have a much more positive world.
Be Adaptable When Working with Personalities
People are all around us, and each person has a unique personality. Dealing with personality differences is an essential skill for all workers, students, roommates, friends, and general members of the human race. Working with lots of personalities and ages this summer helped me realize that being flexible and adaptable is an important component of “getting along” with others. It’s all about reading the room.
Be Present & Look for the Good in All Things
It was pouring rain, a storm about to roll in, and a guest, completely drenched from the rain, shouted from the top of the log flume, “This is the greatest day of my life!” I couldn’t help but smile and think “that’s the kind of person I want to be friends with.” Be excited about life and don’t be afraid to point out the good to others. If the crazy pandemic has taught the world one thing it might be that living in the moment and for the moment (the REAL moment that is, not the one that happens behind a touchscreen in a curated algorithm of social media content, but the one with the sun, and moon, and people) is all we can really control in this instant.
Twizzlers are the best.
This is probably a hot take. I understand that. And I do love chocolate, but what’s said is said.
At an intern networking luncheon this summer, a Hershey executive told us to be life-long learners. He emphasized the need for society today to be curious and to “learn things that won’t help you in your job.” Life is a continual learning process. You don’t need to be in school to learn new skills. You don’t need a “sweet” internship to help you study people’s behavior. Work with what you got because each of us lives a life entirely our own. Maybe the insights and wisdom everybody covets is right around us. We just have to pay closer attention.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading. I’m so happy to have posted after a long time without any new content. Transferring my blog, securing a domain, and redesigning my website has been simultaneously a frustrating yet entirely rewarding process, but I’m so proud to show off my new website. When I started my blog, this is the vision I had in mind. After almost a year and a half, I’m here~and that’s WILD! I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Have a great weekend!
~Katherine
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