Hospitality Management senior Taylor Blain goes the extra mile to position herself as an industry leader upon graduation.
In addition to being a star student, Blain serves as the Group Housing coordinator at the Marriott at Grand National.
Blain said some of her favorite memories at Auburn have come from being pushed out of her comfort zone.
Senior Taylor Blain fell in love with Auburn the moment she stepped on campus. And two years later, she found her passion in the College of Human Sciences Department of Hospitality Management. Since then, Blain has gone the extra mile in her classes, study tours and work experience to position herself as a hospitality leader upon graduation.
Special events and external relations coordinator Jill Olson sat down with the Roswell, Ga. native to discuss her extensive experience and what drives her to succeed, plus what advice she can pass on to fellow students.
Why did you choose Auburn and Hospitality Management?
I came to Auburn simply to take a tour and absolutely fell in love with everything about Auburn. I actually started my freshman year in another major that I wasn’t entirely passionate about. It was not until a couple years ago that I realized I wanted to help people of all ages, from 6 to 96, and I stumbled across Hospitality Management as a major. I instantly dove into as much as I could whether that was investing in my classes a little extra, getting work experience or competing for a spot on the Napa trip.
Which class has been your favorite so far?
Oh, that’s a hard one, I love so many of my classes and professors. I would say my favorite class thus far has been the Science of Quality Service with Dr. David Martin. The need for genuinely good service is so present in our work today and learning the ins and outs of quality service was instrumental in my life. I am able to implement what I learn in the classroom to my job now as the Group Housing coordinator at the Marriot at Grand National. As a future leader in the industry, this class was key to my professional life. I also really enjoyed Event Operations with Mrs. Nicole Gaillard. While I am not on the Event management track within the program, I do a lot of event planning now in my current role. It was great learning experience, and with it being a small class, I was able to participate in real, hands-on learning. Mrs. Gaillard even recommended a book to us called Miziker’s Complete Event Planner’s Handbook, and I still use it to this day! We also created an event planning questionnaire for clients, and I use that in my job as well.
What is your favorite Auburn memory to date?
Some of my favorite Auburn memories within my major include the people I have met along the way. I have made lifelong friends in this major, as well as numerous professional connections. The Napa trip was definitely one of my favorite memories so far. I was pushed outside of my comfort zone, but it was one of the best experiences. The Hospitality management Career Fair last year was another highlight. Outside my major and in general, my favorite Auburn memories include storming the field for the Iron Bowl last year, rolling Toomer’s Corner after football and basketball wins and getting a picture with Aubie my freshman year!
What work and/or internship experience have you participated in while a student at Auburn?
I have been working at the Marriott at Grand National for the past 2 years and have been promoted to the Group Housing coordinator and I absolutely adore my job! During COVID, I was furloughed for 2 months. That was such a tough time being away from the job that I love and the people I deeply care for.
In regard to an internship, because of COVID-19, a lot of students were unable to complete an in-person internship. Dr. Martin had an incredible idea of an alternative internship. We were put into different teams to develop thorough research and essentially plan an entire mobile food kitchen that can be deployed anywhere to the Southeast to aid first responders and survivors of natural disasters. I was asked to be the Project manager over the class and getting to work with a little over 30 of my peers was such good experience. I tried my best to implement servant-like leadership and the compassion towards everyone in the class. I think so often people rise up in the workforce and forget that the people they are managing have lives outside of work. I truly believe in the importance of the kind of leadership that is understanding, empathetic and willing to do work just like everyone else. Being the Project Manager of the summer 2020 Alternative Internship was an absolute honor and will go down as one of my favorite Auburn memories.
What is the best advice you have been given while at Auburn and what advice would you give to new students?
The best advice I have been given was from Dr. Martin. This advice was about being a future leader in the industry and he told us to “praise publicly, discipline privately.” This stuck with me as I know what it is like to be reprimanded publicly. As a future leader in this industry, I will strive to implement this advice into my everyday life.
The best advice I could give to new students would be to get as much work experience as possible while in school, even if you only work a couple days per week. Gaining real world experience is so important while you are in school. I would also say to get to know your professors. The professors in the Hospitality program genuinely care about their students. They want to see you succeed. Pour into them as the pour into you. Whatever you put into and invest in this program, you will get out 100 times more. This program is so important to me and has helped me to become a better student, employee, friend, and daughter.
Find more information on the Hospitality Management program