by Andrew Clarke

Last updated at 09:20, Monday, 22 June 2009

WHEN you think of a work placement, it may be dreary offices, shops or factories that spring to mind. Not for Alyssa Nicholls however, who this week jetted off to spend a year working in the sunshine state of Florida in one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions.

Orlando bound: Alyssa is jetting off to work at Universal Studios, Florida.

Alyssa, 20, has been chosen to spend 12 months working in Universal Studios’ theme park, Islands of Adventure, in Orlando, and can’t wait to get started.

“I’m nervous but excited,” says Alyssa, who is from Whitehaven and is a student at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.

“I’m doing a course in event management at UCLan and have just finished my second year of a four-year sandwich course, and for the third year of the course, it’s recommended that we spend it on a placement.

“There were a number of companies touring the universities to recruit people for placements and Universal was one that caught my eye. To be honest, I only really went for the interview to get some interview practice so I was surprised but pleased when they offered me a place.”

Alyssa, of Corkickle, joined two of her friends from UCLan and 49 other students from around the UK to jet off to the States to begin their 12-month Orlando adventure.

All the students will be living together on a complex on Oakshadow Street, near to the bustling hub of the famous Florida theme parks. Alyssa will be based in the Islands of Adventure park, part of the Universal Studios empire, which comprises five different ‘islands’, each bringing to life different myths, legends, comic books, cartoon heroes and children’s stories.

“In the first three months, I will be working as part of the entrance operations team – dealing with turnstiles and ticket sales and generally being part of the team that makes sure every guest gets into the park smoothly.

“In the second three-month block, I’ll move on to children’s rides, shows and rollercoasters, getting to grips with how every thing works,” she said.

“The first six months will be important to give me a broad feel of how the park runs and how it is managed,”

In January next year, Alyssa will move on and be part of the grand opening of a new ‘island’ within the park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, said to be “the world’s first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment” based on the best-selling books and blockbuster films by JK Rowling.

“I will be an attraction ambassador and part of the welcome team as the new island opens,” says Alyssa. “I’ll be on crowd control and it will involve handing out questionnaires and surveys to see how the new attraction is being received.

“This is important when you are dealing with a new attraction as it will quickly reveal how people are responding to it and throw up any initial problems that there might be.

“It’s a great opportunity to be there when they open a new attraction like this. It’s a major event and it will be very busy.”

Alyssa has always had a passion for working with people and customers.

“My teacher at St Benedict’s School, Brian O’Kane, was the one who first sparked my interest in this field as he taught me Travel & Tourism at school, which featured a customer care module.

“I also worked at Burtons, in Whitehaven, where the deputy manager Lavinia Garret was a great inspiration to me.”

Alyssa will have marketing assignments to complete while she is abroad, but she is sure it won’t be all work and no play.

“I’m of course looking forward to the weather, being independent and doing my own thing. As part of the accommodation complex, we have spas and swimming pools to fill our free time.

"It has been quite costly to be able to make the trip but it will be a great experience and well worth the expense,” she added.

First published at 10:56, Thursday, 18 June 2009
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk