This paper describes a planned internship at a bar and grill establishment in Scottsdale, Arizona, designed to fulfill requirements for an Interdisciplinary Studies major. The student outlines responsibilities including marketing coordination, promotional event management, talent recruitment, and administrative support. The paper then maps five communication courses — Public Speaking, Small Group Communication, Gender and Communication, Visual Communication, and Gender, Media and Culture — to specific internship duties. It concludes by reflecting on the practical gains expected from applying academic concepts in a professional environment with supervisory responsibilities.
The learning experience described here is an internship at the Firehouse Bar and Grill, located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The student will work under and in direct conjunction with the establishment's owner and operator. As such, the intern will be involved in a number of tasks that directly relate to an Interdisciplinary Studies major.
The intern will be actively involved in the marketing and promotions for weekly events taking place at the establishment and in its surrounding community. This responsibility includes coordinating and directing all photo shoots and other publicity-related events involving the Firehouse Girls. The intern will also play an integral role in recruiting new talent for this group, as well as for other employees seeking positions in different areas of the organization. Finally, the intern will serve as the office manager's assistant and handle a number of administrative duties, including filing.
Public Speaking: This course provided the fundamental skills essential to becoming an effective public speaker. The internship allows the student to serve as a representative for Firehouse Bar and Grill during its public functions involving the Firehouse Girls. This experience provides sufficient opportunity to develop oratory ability and to utilize techniques for capturing and maintaining an audience's attention — particularly important given that many of the events will involve members of the surrounding community.
Small Group Communication: This course addressed the nuances of communicating with people in a relatively small environment. Intra-office communication at Firehouse Bar and Grill is an ideal setting in which to apply these lessons, both when interacting with superiors and when directing others. Additionally, the skills from this course are essential for building lasting, trusting relationships with the Firehouse Girls themselves.
Gender and Communication: This course explored the various connections between communication and gender. The intern will be able to apply many of the concepts learned from this class throughout the internship, particularly when communicating with the gender-specific group of models and promotional workers that the Firehouse Girls represent.
Visual Communication: This course taught the use of non-verbal communication, encompassing both written forms and physical, non-verbal exchanges between people. The internship offers a variety of settings in which to practice these skills — from conventional office management communication to informal interpersonal communication during promotional events.
Gender, Media and Culture: Of all the courses relevant to this internship, this one is expected to be the most directly applicable. The course explained certain cultural aspects of the media's influence on gender and vice versa. Work with the Firehouse Girls will depend heavily on the ability to apply the concepts taught in this class, making it a central academic foundation for the placement.
"Reflects on practical learning outcomes expected"
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