F&B Assistant Review

I enjoyed the fact that I was in America and that my friends and I had the opportunity to explore California on our days off (which we did!). But the the work wasn't very enjoyable, the hours were very long, often we were overworked due to lack to of extra staff and the work was very repetitive. I didn't really feel that this was related much to my course I will add.

All the interns live and socialise in the same area, therefore by the end of the placement we were like a family and it was sad to leave. I felt that of the three F&B managers, two of them were very supportive and caring, the other not so much. Further up the hierarchy I thought that the senior managers also offered advice and support and generally cared about you.

I felt that with the exception of one or two, the management were always there to offer support and guidance. My department manager would regularly talk to me at the end of each shift to praise me for the nice comments they had received by guests about my service and also would tell me where I could improve.

From the other reviews I have read, I can also say that they didn't hire enough people. The hours were very long, and the work is very strenuous.

At the start very little, but gradually I was given more towards the end.

In terms of skills I learnt related to my degree, very little. On a wider scale, customer service skills are always valuable as they can by applied to most jobs.

I really enjoyed working with the other interns and our department managers. Everyone got on well and generally it was a fun atmosphere.

My University have been sending Interns to Smoke Tree for many years, therefore was quite organised.

This is only a seasonal placement that is on a 6 month basis then they close, Therefore new staff are employed each season. Because of this not so much training and development can be offered.

I plan to return to the US for a graduate job, however I would only return to Smoke Tree if a managerial position came about.

All the interns live together so everyone does socialise with each other. Palm Springs doesn't have much to offer for younger people, however LA is only two hours away. We regularly rented cars to go on day trips to beaches and other cities. I also went to Las Vegas with two other interns, which was great. Another perk of doing this placement is the month free travel at the end, where the opportunities are endless.

You get 3 meals a day and also accommodation included as part of your placement. Although the food is pretty shoddy, it's free! There are loads of cheap restaurants in the local area, Chipotle is down the road!

It's a 21 drinking age in America, which is annoying. The pubs/clubs are very good in Palm Springs, particular when the Coachella music festival is on. Best places to go are Bar, Village Pub, Hard Rock and Copa.

There were occasional organised trips to see films and also go bowling. But generally you work so many hours a week there isn't enough time to go anywhere. On your days off however, you can do anything.