Helping Southern Hospitality with its digital marketing proved to be a real buzz for Otago Business School marketing student Rochelle Hawkins.
Rochelle spent eight months learning the ropes with Dunedin-based hospitality supply specialists Southern Hospitality, which describes itself as being like a mega kitchen store for the hospitality and foodservice industry, importing from 35 countries and stocking over a million items from teaspoons to furniture.
Christchurch-born Rochelle already had a BSc in nutrition, had worked in the kitchens at Carrington Hall, and was one semester off finishing her commerce degree, a combination which she believed helped to persuade Southern Hospitality CEO Roger Fewtrell into creating the intern position.
“My food background helped because I understand catering and hospitality industry supplier needs.”
She was doing everything from social media research and web development, as well as covering a full range of administration and showroom responsibilities. Her intern project was to survey clients receiving the company's email marketing information.
There were advantages from being involved in the internship for both Rochelle and Southern Hospitality. Rochelle picked up a considerable amount of skills across a cross section of marketing and administration, which she believes helped give her the edge on her accounting paper.
And she was happy knowing that helping develop new web training notes will make a difference for the company. The company not only benefits from having someone take responsibility for completing a new project, Roger and his staff also enjoy the part they play in supporting a young person through their career development.
Rochelle is back at the University of Otago where she is completing her double degree (BCom & BSc).
