Daniel Elkin '08

Guest Service Associate,

Orlando International Resort Club
Daniel is pictured with his co-worker Angela

q: What do you do?

a: Provide guest services at a Wyndham Vacation Ownership resort, including check-ins and check-outs, night audit and overseeing housekeeping and maintenance requests.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: Interacting with people. We have a good time here. It's an awesome team and we mix and match responsibilities.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Saturdays. There are a lot of check-ins on Saturdays.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Pat Barrett '07, who works at Tuscawilla Country Club.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: In my bed or golfing.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: I just bought a house.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: The instructors were great, not just teaching us the fiscal side of the business but also guest satisfaction. They taught us how to be caring to guests. Without them, we wouldn't have our jobs.

q: Your favorite class?

a: Exploring Wines of the World.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: It was located so far from Main Campus, and the bus was often overcrowded.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Tailgating, and good times with my ΦΔΘ fraternity.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Pasta Verde at Giovanni's in Oviedo.

q: On your iPod?

a: Hip hop from a few years ago.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I used to work in the Box Office at the UCF Arena.

Rachael Vogel '05

Director of Corporate Catering & Special Events,

Levan's Catering

q: What do you do?

a: Manage all planning of corporate and social events. This includes the menu, logistics and set-up. About 70% of our events are weddings, but the sky's the limit on what I could be working on! Right now, it ranges from a Super Bowl party at a private residence...to a formal plated lunch for 575 people at the UCF Student Union.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: Every event is different. It's not the same banquet and awards ceremony year after year. I love how trends change too. For instance, Tiffany Blue was big in weddings for a while. Lately we see brides thinking outside the box, with colors as non-traditional as black with neon.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: The economy. I've worked here five years and many corporate clients would hold the same extravagant holiday parties every December. Now they tell us they're having a potluck so don't need our services. People are of course still getting married, but on much smaller budgets than I saw earlier in my career.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Julie Noda '05, Brittany Andrews '08, Holly Steinebronn '07 and Tanya Weir Irizarry '08, who also works at Levan's.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: Out-and-about...Downtown with friends, or traveling.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Five years out of college, I know who I am and where I want to go.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: The course content was geared toward our industry. For instance, I could have taken Financial Accounting anywhere, but the examples used at Rosen are specifically for concepts and procedures used in hotels, restaurants and clubs.

q: Your favorite class?

a: Exploring Wines of the World, Quantity Food Production and Hospitality Law. Rosemary Krebs who taught the law class really made you think; for example, if eight guests cram into a hotel room booked for two people, are they really all "guests" and where does the business' liability begin and end?

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: Incorporate more alumni guest speakers who are successful in their careers but been out of school 10 years or less. Vice presidents of big companies have information to share about the industry, but students can relate more with younger professionals. It would be helpful to learning the day-to-day operations in the jobs and departments where they'll find themselves after graduation.

q: A UCF memory?

a: My friends. I was born and raised in Gainesville so 100% of my friends I have here in Orlando are those I made at UCF.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The filet at Del Frisco's, but I'm always up for sushi.

q: On your iPod?

a: I have an iHome alarm clock hooked to my iPod with a random shuffle, so I never know if I'll wake up to a country song or Old School Rap. I listen to everything depending on my mood; when I have lots of work to do and a need for adrenalin, I'll play Rock or Alternative at my desk.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: My new hobby is making jewelry, and I've already sold a few pieces. Like my job, I love that I'm hands-on - it keeps me busy and uses my creativity.

Laurell Shaffer '06

Account Executive,
Eventbrite

q: What do you do?

a: Sell Eventbrite, an online registration and ticketing solution, to event holders of all types. I work with a full spectrum of events including concerts, festivals, tradeshows, and conferences.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: Being a part of something new, Eventbrite is a start-up so it’s fresh and exciting. We're growing at a rapid pace and things are constantly changing so there is always a buzz around the office. I also love that we have a very transparent culture so I get to see how decisions are made and why. Unlike some of the more corporate positions I’ve held, my feedback and opinions are valued and used to create the processes we set for the future development of our team.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Everything is constantly changing and a lot of the judgments I make are subjective. It keeps the work interesting and keeps me on my toes. We're updating and adding features to the Eventbrite site all the time, so there's always something new to learn or show to clients.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Some, I’ve moved around a bit since leaving UCF so it can be challenging staying in touch with everyone while 3,000 miles away. My best friends are UCF alumni and I always love coming back to visit, especially for events like Homecoming.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: Taking advantage of all the San Francisco culture! I live in an amazing city with so much diversity; there's never a dull moment. The summer festival season (especially Bay to Breakers) is by far my favorite!

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Being completely independent. I came to San Francisco alone for a job I was unsure of and created a new life away from all my family and friends. Two years later I love where I am and would never change my decision to try something new.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: While Eventbrite is ultimately a tech company, it parallels hospitality in many ways. The hands-on work at Rosen led me to several hotel positions that developed my selling skills, event production knowledge and eventually brought me to Eventbrite.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I would have liked to be a part of Rosen when the campus was fully developed with dorms and everything it has now. The campus was only about a year old when I started going out there so I commuted from Main Campus.

q: A UCF memory?

a: All the times spent with friends….Spirit splash, football games at the Citrus Bowl, live music Downtown at The Social, Homecoming Skit Knights, Wackadoo's.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Tijuana Flats.

q: On your iPod?

a: It changes constantly but some of my consistent favorites are the Killers, Kings of Leon, DMB, Jason Mraz, The Cab, Jack’s Mannequin, and Journey.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I attended a performing arts high school as a dance major.

Jennifer Shepherd '05

Conference Coordinator,
Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center
Jennifer has two UCF degrees: B.A. Organizational Communication '05 and
M.S., Hospitality & Tourism Management '08

q: What do you do?

a: I act as the floor manager for meetings and conventions that come to the hotel, ensuring client satisfaction throughout all conference events. I serve as the liaison between the Meeting Planner, Convention Services Manager, Catering Manager, Conference Set Up, Banquets and all hotel departments. I ensure accuracy by checking room sets including lighting, audio visual, information technology, electric, temperature, cleanliness, equipment, food and beverage, and aesthetics.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: Everything! Every day is different and I enjoy interacting with clients and working hard to make their events flawless. I also enjoy working with my co-STARs; the culture at Gaylord promotes FUN! I am privileged to work here with such an amazing team of people.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Amanda Larkin '08, Diana Duque '07, Jessica Baum '06, Lindsay Mays '08, Kristi Johnson Moschos '05, Lori Graham '06, Kara McClatchy '09, Ashley Wells M.S. '07, Taryn Aiello M.S. '08 and Paula Barnes M.S. '07.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: With my boyfriend and my family.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Since graduation I have been on the Executive Board of the Orlando Chapter of the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE), where I have been able to give back and support a group of people who supported me when I joined NACE as a student member in 2004. In 2009, I was the Public Relations Director and in 2010 I will serve as the Community Service/Fundraising Director. I am very proud of my accomplishments with NACE.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: The Rosen College program allowed me to work full time and gain experience in the industry, while obtaining my education. This prepared me for the amount of time and energy that is required to be successful in the hospitality and event industries.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: My experience at UCF was always positive. I enjoyed my classes and built great relationships with my professors. Group projects were my biggest challenge because working with other student schedules and personalities can be difficult.

q: A UCF memory?

a: In 2005, I worked with three other students to plan Floribbean Fest. The event was awesome and I was very proud of what we accomplished and the money that we raised. The event was held at The Rosen College and was a major production. I also have fond memories of taking undergraduate classes at Main Campus. I consolidated my classes into two days so I could also work full-time, so I would literally spend 12 hours on campus. I loved sitting by the Reflection Pond!

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Sopa de Leon at Café Tu Tu Tango!

q: On your iPod?

a: Country!

q: Little known fact about you?

a: Another job I would love to have is as a professional organizer, working for Clean House on the Style Channel!

Dave Buckalew '05

Owner,
Buckalew Hospitality

q: What do you do?

a: I run my own Orlando-based hospitality consulting firm. I specialize in mystery shopping services for hotels and working with meeting planners to find customized staffing and service solutions.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: The freedom to take time off when I want and, when I'm working, create my own schedule. Unless a project dictates start and end times, I usually decide when I start in the morning and finish for the evening. If a social event comes up, I can juggle my schedule to attend.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Sales. I'm definitely not a salesman. Once I have the business I'm great at maintaining and operating it, but the initial sell is where I need improvement. I rely on the competitive advantage of being quick on technology and fast to respond with communication.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Yes. I truly enjoy keeping in touch with classmates including Mike Fisch ’04 and Scott Mifsud ’03.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: At a baseball game or UCF sporting event. (Interviewer note: Dave had a Longoria jersey hung up in his car and was headed straight to a Tampa Bay Rays game following our interview.)

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Getting married to Erica Acquavita ’04, a Rosen College graduate who I met in high school, and buying a house.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: UCF, particularly Rosen College, helped me develop my network. I also was able to gain crucial experience doing the required internships. I was really involved in the student clubs and associations which helped me to develop and pursue the clients I have today.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: More emphasis could have been put on sales and entrepreneurship in the industry. You certainly learn the theory and operations side from a manager standpoint; however, there is a big difference between owning the business and running the business. I learned most of this stuff on the road.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Parties, road trips, Main Campus and Homecoming week.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Wings...at Buffalo Wild Wings, Johnny’s Filling Station or McWell’s.

q: On your iPod?

a: Not enough songs yet. Somewhat diverse so far: The Killers, Coldplay, DMB, U2, Journey and Blink-182.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I have a personal goal to see games in all 30 Major League Baseball parks in the U.S. So far I've been to 11 of them. This Summer, I have a trip planned where I'll watch games in nine parks.