Transition Year Work Experience Diary:
Student name: Aisling Donelan
Class: TY 4B
Name and address of employer: Tomas Gullane, Main St, Townparks, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.
Dates of work experience: From the 23rd to the 27th of October.
Job title: Waitress/kitchen assistant
Job description: I cleared tables and served customers. I washed and put away dishes. I also helped with any queries anyone had.
Why I selected this work placement: I chose this work placement because
· I wanted to see if I’m suitable to work in this environment.
· I also wanted to see if I could get a job out of this work experience.
· Finally, I wanted to see what working in a restaurant was like.
Letter of Application:
Garrynasillagh,
Killimor,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway.
Main St,
Townparks,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway.
Dear Tomas Gullane,
I am writing to enquire if you have any opportunities in your hotel for transition year students to complete work experience. I am currently a transition year student at Portumna Community School. As part of our transition year programme we will complete one week of work experience from the 23rd to the 27th of October.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to complete my work placement in your hotel because I want to experience what it like is to run a hotel and be involved in the hotel business. I also want to have experience in a job, so I will know how it works when I became an eligible age to get one.
I have developed may other skills in school: I have completed a course on public speaking, so I am now a more confident speaker and comfortable talking to and engaging with the customers.
Please find attached my CV. Thank you I advance for taking the time to view my application. I hope you will consider offering me the opportunity of an interview.
I look forward to hearing from you. If you have any further questions on this subject, you can contact me at [email protected]
Yours sincerely,
Aisling Donelan.
Diary of Work Experience
Day: One
Date: 23rd of October
Start time: 10am
Finish time: 4pm
Training and instructions: I was trained on how to wash the dishes and put them away. I was then instructed to do this until the restaurant got busier. After lunch I was instructed to clear tables and serve the customers.
Work undertaken:
I scraped leftovers off the dishes and rinsed them off with the tap.
Problems/challenges encountered and how I overcame them: I was slow while doing the dishes. I never used the dishwasher before, so I wasn’t as fast like other members. As I got more familiar with the routine of things, my pace fastened, and the problem was solved.
Skills that I improved: I improved communicating skills while serving the customers.
New skills I developed: I developed the skill of clearing tables quickly and how to interact with customers.
How others viewed my performance: I had no complaints, so I would presume I was doing fine.
My personal evaluation of today: I thought the day went well. I was only getting used to everything, so I thought it was a good start made.
Day: Two
Date: 24th of October
Start time: 10am
Finish time: 4pm
Training and instructions: I was trained on how to hold numerous plates at one time and I was shown where the ice box is in the basement. I was instructed to get the ice and fill water for lunch. I also was instructed to clear tables and serve the customers.
Work undertaken:
Problems/challenges encountered and how I overcame them: I had no difficulties.
Skills that I improved: I improved communicating skills while serving the customers.
New skills I developed: I developed the skill of carrying a lot of plates at the same time.
How others viewed my performance: I had no complaints, so I would presume I was doing fine.
My personal evaluation of today: I thought the day went well. I was quicker on my feet and got the jobs done in time and had no difficulties or problems throughout the day.
Day: Three
Date: 25th of October
Start time: 10am
Finish time: 4pm
Training and instructions: I was trained on how to fold napkins for a special occasion. I was also instructed to fill plates with biscuits for a meeting that was on in the evening.
Work undertaken:
Problems/challenges encountered and how I overcame them: I had no difficulties.
Skills that I improved: I improved my communicating skills.
New skills I developed: I developed the skill of folding napkins properly.
How others viewed my performance: I had no complaints, so I would presume I was doing fine.
My personal evaluation of today: I thought the day went well. I learned something new and useful. I also did more jobs and helped where I could.
Work Experience Review:
Did anything unusual or unexpected occur? Were things different from what you expected?
No, nothing unusual or unexpected occurred. I got on with the task ahead of me each day and tried to complete it to my best ability. Things weren’t too different to what I expected. I didn’t know what I was going to be doing until I got there but I knew how to waitress and attend the customers as I see how others have done it when I was in a restaurant.
How has your work experience influenced you in terms of your personal career direction?
My work experience influenced me in terms of my personal career direction as now I know I don’t want to go into the hotel business. I think it would be a fine job to pay the bills if I go to college or as a weekend/summer job, but I wouldn’t pursue it as a career. The reason for this is I’m more of a things person than a people’s person. After the week my overall liking of the work had decreased.
What employability skills have you enhanced or developed as a result of your work experience?
As a result of my work experience, I have developed communicating skills that is essential to get employed. Also, I have enhanced being motivated and having determination for any task that’s ahead of me.
Review and Evaluation:
This is not the right work career because I didn’t enjoy the work as much as I hoped. I think its fine for a weekend/summer job, but I wouldn’t like to pursue it as a career.
In my report sheet, they gave me and excellent for suitability to the work. Personally, I don’t think I’m suitable for the work.
Also in my report, they gave me an excellent for ability to perform tasks. Even though I didn't overly enjoy the work I still had to perform the tasks to the best of my ability as it shows determination and good manners.
There were no unexpected things for me to deal with. If there were something that needed to be done I did it. When the dishes were piling up and there was no one to do them I did them to help to save time.
Overall my liking to the work decreased and I don’t think I’ll be following a career min the hotel business.
After the work experience I learned I’m more of a objects person than a people’s person and now I know I’m not suited to this type of work. I also learned the job is tiring and involves a lot of hard work.
Relevant school subjects needed for this career are business and English.
My plan for my next work experience to is do something with art as I like that as a subject and would like to pursue a career in it.
Letter of Thanks:
Garrynasillagh,
Killimor,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway.
Main St,
Townparks,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway.
Dear Tomas Gullane,
I’m writing to say thanks for the opportunity of carrying out my work experience in your hotel.
I enjoyed the work experience a great deal and found it very interesting. It gave me a great insight into the type of work involved in a restaurant. I enjoyed being able to further my CV and getting the experience that could help me in the future.
Once again thank you for your help. I would be most grateful if you could pass on my thanks to all the other people who helped me during the week.
Yours sincerely,
Aisling Donelan.
Student name: Aisling Donelan
Class: TY 4B
Name and address of employer: Tomas Gullane, Main St, Townparks, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.
Dates of work experience: From the 23rd to the 27th of October.
Job title: Waitress/kitchen assistant
Job description: I cleared tables and served customers. I washed and put away dishes. I also helped with any queries anyone had.
Why I selected this work placement: I chose this work placement because
· I wanted to see if I’m suitable to work in this environment.
· I also wanted to see if I could get a job out of this work experience.
· Finally, I wanted to see what working in a restaurant was like.
Letter of Application:
Garrynasillagh,
Killimor,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway.
Main St,
Townparks,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway.
Dear Tomas Gullane,
I am writing to enquire if you have any opportunities in your hotel for transition year students to complete work experience. I am currently a transition year student at Portumna Community School. As part of our transition year programme we will complete one week of work experience from the 23rd to the 27th of October.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to complete my work placement in your hotel because I want to experience what it like is to run a hotel and be involved in the hotel business. I also want to have experience in a job, so I will know how it works when I became an eligible age to get one.
I have developed may other skills in school: I have completed a course on public speaking, so I am now a more confident speaker and comfortable talking to and engaging with the customers.
Please find attached my CV. Thank you I advance for taking the time to view my application. I hope you will consider offering me the opportunity of an interview.
I look forward to hearing from you. If you have any further questions on this subject, you can contact me at [email protected]
Yours sincerely,
Aisling Donelan.
Diary of Work Experience
Day: One
Date: 23rd of October
Start time: 10am
Finish time: 4pm
Training and instructions: I was trained on how to wash the dishes and put them away. I was then instructed to do this until the restaurant got busier. After lunch I was instructed to clear tables and serve the customers.
Work undertaken:
I scraped leftovers off the dishes and rinsed them off with the tap.
- I loaded the dishes onto the trays, rinsed them off again and put them into the dishwasher.
- I emptied the dishwasher and put away the dishes and did the cycle again until there were no more dishes.
- After lunch, I went onto the floor and cleaned dishes from customers and brought them into the kitchen to be washed.
- Before going home, I helped another member of staff to set the tables in the library for a special occasion.
- I filled up the sugar bowls with white and brown sugar when needed.
Problems/challenges encountered and how I overcame them: I was slow while doing the dishes. I never used the dishwasher before, so I wasn’t as fast like other members. As I got more familiar with the routine of things, my pace fastened, and the problem was solved.
Skills that I improved: I improved communicating skills while serving the customers.
New skills I developed: I developed the skill of clearing tables quickly and how to interact with customers.
How others viewed my performance: I had no complaints, so I would presume I was doing fine.
My personal evaluation of today: I thought the day went well. I was only getting used to everything, so I thought it was a good start made.
Day: Two
Date: 24th of October
Start time: 10am
Finish time: 4pm
Training and instructions: I was trained on how to hold numerous plates at one time and I was shown where the ice box is in the basement. I was instructed to get the ice and fill water for lunch. I also was instructed to clear tables and serve the customers.
Work undertaken:
- I went onto the floor and cleaned dishes from customers and brought them into the kitchen to be washed.
- I got coffee or tea for whoever asked me.
- I filled up the sugar bowls with white and brown sugar when needed.
- I filled up the water jugs and glasses for the dinner rush.
- I filled the ice boxes for the dinner rush.
- I helped another member of staff to set the tables in the library for a special occasion.
Problems/challenges encountered and how I overcame them: I had no difficulties.
Skills that I improved: I improved communicating skills while serving the customers.
New skills I developed: I developed the skill of carrying a lot of plates at the same time.
How others viewed my performance: I had no complaints, so I would presume I was doing fine.
My personal evaluation of today: I thought the day went well. I was quicker on my feet and got the jobs done in time and had no difficulties or problems throughout the day.
Day: Three
Date: 25th of October
Start time: 10am
Finish time: 4pm
Training and instructions: I was trained on how to fold napkins for a special occasion. I was also instructed to fill plates with biscuits for a meeting that was on in the evening.
Work undertaken:
- I went onto the floor and cleaned dishes from customers and brought them into the kitchen to be washed.
- I got coffee or tea for whoever asked me.
- I folded napkins in the shape of a cone and a fan.
- I filled up the sugar bowls with white and brown sugar when needed.
- I filled up the water jugs and glasses for the dinner rush.
- I got plates of biscuits ready for a meeting that was happening in the ballroom.
Problems/challenges encountered and how I overcame them: I had no difficulties.
Skills that I improved: I improved my communicating skills.
New skills I developed: I developed the skill of folding napkins properly.
How others viewed my performance: I had no complaints, so I would presume I was doing fine.
My personal evaluation of today: I thought the day went well. I learned something new and useful. I also did more jobs and helped where I could.
Work Experience Review:
Did anything unusual or unexpected occur? Were things different from what you expected?
No, nothing unusual or unexpected occurred. I got on with the task ahead of me each day and tried to complete it to my best ability. Things weren’t too different to what I expected. I didn’t know what I was going to be doing until I got there but I knew how to waitress and attend the customers as I see how others have done it when I was in a restaurant.
How has your work experience influenced you in terms of your personal career direction?
My work experience influenced me in terms of my personal career direction as now I know I don’t want to go into the hotel business. I think it would be a fine job to pay the bills if I go to college or as a weekend/summer job, but I wouldn’t pursue it as a career. The reason for this is I’m more of a things person than a people’s person. After the week my overall liking of the work had decreased.
What employability skills have you enhanced or developed as a result of your work experience?
As a result of my work experience, I have developed communicating skills that is essential to get employed. Also, I have enhanced being motivated and having determination for any task that’s ahead of me.
Review and Evaluation:
This is not the right work career because I didn’t enjoy the work as much as I hoped. I think its fine for a weekend/summer job, but I wouldn’t like to pursue it as a career.
In my report sheet, they gave me and excellent for suitability to the work. Personally, I don’t think I’m suitable for the work.
Also in my report, they gave me an excellent for ability to perform tasks. Even though I didn't overly enjoy the work I still had to perform the tasks to the best of my ability as it shows determination and good manners.
There were no unexpected things for me to deal with. If there were something that needed to be done I did it. When the dishes were piling up and there was no one to do them I did them to help to save time.
Overall my liking to the work decreased and I don’t think I’ll be following a career min the hotel business.
After the work experience I learned I’m more of a objects person than a people’s person and now I know I’m not suited to this type of work. I also learned the job is tiring and involves a lot of hard work.
Relevant school subjects needed for this career are business and English.
My plan for my next work experience to is do something with art as I like that as a subject and would like to pursue a career in it.
Letter of Thanks:
Garrynasillagh,
Killimor,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway.
Main St,
Townparks,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway.
Dear Tomas Gullane,
I’m writing to say thanks for the opportunity of carrying out my work experience in your hotel.
I enjoyed the work experience a great deal and found it very interesting. It gave me a great insight into the type of work involved in a restaurant. I enjoyed being able to further my CV and getting the experience that could help me in the future.
Once again thank you for your help. I would be most grateful if you could pass on my thanks to all the other people who helped me during the week.
Yours sincerely,
Aisling Donelan.