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Student Spotlight: Marilu Lopez
UTSA Student Spotlight
Name: Marilu Lopez
Major:Marketing (Tourism Concentration)
School: University of Texas at San Antonio
Grad Date: July 2008
What Did you do?
I worked in the operations division of the resort with a concentration on the housekeeping department which is known to be the largest department of any resort or hotel in operations. I was awarded the opportunity to work with all managers at every level, even at the entry level position as a housekeeper! Housekeeping at a mega resort has so many levels in maintaining the Mobil Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond standards. Wynn Las Vegas is the only casino resort in the world to have achieved both accolades and housekeeping is the key department that maintains those standards along with the rest of the magnificent team! I shadowed every level from the Director to the housekeeper but my focus was strictly housekeeping. This department is so much more than just cleaning a room, this department is the foundation and, in my opinion, the most important to any hotel, resort or motel! No machine or robot will ever take the place of a person thoroughly cleaning your magnificent room or making your comfortable bed. Guest satisfaction is key! Please be our guest!
What did you gain from this experience?
- Not only do I have so much more respect for the housekeepers, but I got a small taste of all the politics you must deal with as a manager and as a director of a major department. Budgets are in the millions!!
- Terrie towels can be a thorn in your behind when the entire resort is at 101% capacity and everyone wants a towel!! Laundry for a mega resort is not as easy as one would think.
- Dealing with a cornucopia of cultures and traditions from your employees to the guest! I saw it all!! Everything from Ivanna Trump to a Prince!
- I’m not only bewildered by the luxury and the guest service that Wynn offers, but by the way all employees are treated. I loved going to work and I felt like a part of the family, the Wynn family.
Why would you recommend this to other students?
Las Vegas in general is the BEST place in America to get an internship and first job when you are in the hospitality industry. I personally wanted to work for the best of the best, Wynn Las Vegas Resort. I recommend that if you really want to go into this industry find out what aspect interests you the most. Hospitality is such a huge umbrella and if luxury, casino mega-resorts are of any interest… GO TO LAS VEGAS!!!
Do you have any other advice for students?
JUST DO IT!!! If your goal is to be in the hospitality industry, go for the hotel/resort Mecca of the world… Las Vegas. If you are uncomfortable about leaving Texas for the first time, just cross your fingers and GO!!! I was terrified in going to a new city that I have never visited (also known as Sin City,) but I went and I came home with a fabulous management job waiting for me 7 months before I even graduate!!
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