Kelly Stavneak

Major: Event Management
Company/Organization: The Tuscan Wedding
Company/Organization website: http://www.thetuscanwedding.com
Destination: Des Moines
Timeframe: Summer
Advisor/Coordinator Email: rmcclain@iastate.edu

Responsibilities

My internship responsibilities include both on site and off site planning and coordination. I have been managing The Tuscan Wedding's Instagram page, including posts, stories, and IGTV. I communicate with vendors and potential clients via email when needed, write descriptive blogs about our weddings for the website, and assist with the planning and coordination of weddings on site during the weekends. This ranges from set-up, placement of personalized details, directing guests according to the wedding itinerary, posting live Instagram stories on site, etc.

Accomplishments

I believe that my greatest accomplishment from my internship experience would be the transition into my work. Event Management is an extremely unique profession, and this was my first professional experience in the field. My preconceived expectations differed from the precise responsibilities of a wedding planner and what my internship would entail. I think that my transition from these preconceived ideas to the reality of this profession is what set the tone for my future responsibilities and experiences.

What advice would you give?

My advice for future students would be to not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, because great things can happen when you do. Also that mistakes are a seemingly unavoidable part in the transition process. The important thing is that you show you are learning from your mistakes. Sooner or later, it will start to feel like second nature.

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