Working In A Hotel Is Different

Hello everyone!

I started my internship at Hilton Kuching about two weeks ago. Hilton was my first choice so I felt quite happy to be accepted.

I have worked for a small private company before and working for a bigger, international company is certainly a different experience! It is exciting to work for a world-renowned company with a strong brand name.

I first come to learn that image is important. Since I work for a 5-star hotel, image certainly is everything. I was surprised when I was brought over to the staff section as it was not as glitzy and lush like the sections guests are exposed to. I was told that I am not supposed to use the elevators meant for guests as we do not want guests to wait. I was advised to use the staff section to get from one place to another. I was also told to not use the main entrance and must use the staff entrance at the back. Every morning before 9am, I will punch my card at the Security there. Because working in PR means dealing with clients and guests, one must look presentable and professional. I even have my own nametag.

Hilton Kuching PR department is small. There is my supervisor, Miss Julan Yu Abit, and then there is me.

At the office on my first day.

Her former assistant had resigned for a better work opportunity and so she has no assistant till October. So my coming there was a great timing. Miss Julan has a cheery disposition, which makes working under her a delightful experience. She was patient and willing to tell me about how things work in Hilton Kuching and the hotel industry in Kuching.

During my first week of work, I was given the task of writing a news release about Hilton Kuching’s Ultimate Ramadan Buffet. I felt honoured to be given the trust to write a news release. I also helped fax the press and called for RSVPs. We held a press dinner last Monday at the Waterfront Café. I was psyched to get to taste first-class buffet dinner prepared by expert chefs all in the company’s expenses.

The dessert section.

When the press arrived, Miss Julan and I started handing out the news release and menus. Dinner was delightful and I managed to get to know a few journalists from various papers.

The press.

What I had for dinner. A little bit of this and that.

A couple of days later, the news release that I wrote came out in The Borneo Post. It was quite a proud moment for me.

News release that came out on 26 August 2009.

Apart from that, my daily task is to read and scan six different newspapers to watch out for any publicity about Hilton Kuching or its competition in Kuching. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is something I am familiar with. Something that I have done back in Curtin. Some might find filing a menial task but I quite enjoy reading anything in general. Besides, it is work and I am stuck with it so might as well take pleasure in it.

My work desk. Minimum of six papers to read daily.

Miss Julan certainly tries to give me a taste of what it is like working in PR. I did a bit of copywrite work. I also rewrote Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, Managed by Hilton new brochures and pamphlets. Not only that, I also helped wrote a few brief pieces for Hilton Kuching in their Hilton Premium Club Malaysia Newsletter of September 2009.

Half way through my internship and I am loving it here. My colleagues are friendly and helpful and I get to work in a ritzy hotel. So far no complaint. I am pretty glad that what I have learned in Curtin really help me in my internship. In fact, I am looking forward to writing more press releases!

Will keep in touch!

Khairunnisa Nasir.