FOR THE ISLANDER
For the past four years,
Catalina Island Company, in
partnership with Yummy Jobs,
has offered a year-long intern-
ship program that provides
on-the-job training to foreign
students and young profession-
als who are pursuing careers in
hospitality and leisure.
Participants must be at least
18 years of age, speak fluent
English and be enrolled full time
in an undergraduate program at
a university outside the United
States, or they must have gradu-
ated no more than 12 months
prior to entering the program,
Each year, as many as 12
students from as far away as
Portugal, Vietnam, Ecuador
and Australia come to Catalina,
where they are provided with
housing, a salary and ample
opportunities to learn the U.S.
hospitality industry, which often
differs a great deal from their
home countries.
"It opens up everyone's eyes
to new things," said Tricia
Martinez, manager at Catalina
Island Company's Descanso
Beach Club.
Unlike many hospitality com-
panics, Catalina Island Company
is able to offer in-depth expe-
rience in staff management,
customer service, scheduling,
project management :and other
disciplines in a wide variety of
areas, including spa, food and
beverage, hotels and events.
According to Martinez,
Venetia Harding, a recent intern
from England, garnered enough
knowledge and experience
during her stint at Descanso
Beach Club to fill in as Banquet
Director for the Company dur-
ing a period of transition.
As the Company's first intern
in Two Harbors, Latvian-born
Artjoms Korde, who earned his
degree in Tourist Management
at Bournemouth University in
England, focused on elevating
the guest experience at Harbors
Sands.
He's hoping to leverage his
experience there to write his
dissertation on "developing a
destination."
To help interns broaden their
horizons and experience U.S.
culture, the Catalina Island
Company organizes team-build-
ing outings, like a trip to Los
Angeles, Disneyland or Angel
Stadium for a baseball game.
After completing the one-
Catalina Island Company's Internship Program offers on-the-job training in a number of hospitality disciplines, including the culinary arts. Courtesy photo
year program, interns have one
month to explore the United
States, if they so choose, before
returning to their home coun-
tries.
Korde said he would rec-
ommend the Catalina Island
Company internship program to
anyone. "It's going to be a game
changer in your life," he said.
VAUGHN ALLEN YACHT SALES
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editor@thecatali-
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California
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Rated PG Matinee Saturday 4:30pro
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For More Information Call 310-510-0179
THE CATALINA ISLANDER Friday, July 13, 2018 i 11
