The Finish Line

Summer vacation for 2010, is coming to an end, and so has my internship with the Pocono Raceway. Spending my summer completing an internship was the best and most constructive use of time for my vacation away from classes. Not to mention I gained valuable work experience, and better insight into what life is like in the real world.

Pocono Raceway was a great place to spend my summer vacation, because it is a popular tourist destination, therefore it made interning more exciting. During my time spent at the Pocono Raceway I was able to see, learn, and understand what it takes to make business operate smoothly.

As for my individual tasks I spent a great deal of my work day taking ticket sales along with interacting personally with customers to make sure their visit to the Pocono Raceway was an enjoyable one. During the race weeks at Pocono Raceway as with any major event or function the office became much busier, which brought more tasks that needed completion and I assisted anywhere that I could help.

I feel that having the opportunity to work one on one with customers of the Pocono Raceway gave me a great deal of experience in interacting with the public in a professional manner. No matter what track I take in my professional career at one point or another I will have to interact with the general public and thanks to the Pocono Raceway I had hands on experience early on. Also during race week when the office became busier than a normal weekday, it showed me how to work productively under pressure. There were plenty of orders and customers to help, along with other tasks that needed to be taken care of within the office. Thanks to this busy period during race weeks I learned how to prioritize what tasks should be done first, and what could wait.

This summer vacation at the Pocono Raceway was a very valuable one, in terms of gaining invaluable work experience. If you have not already or once you begin your college career I would strongly recommend looking into obtaining an internship. I began my first internship my sophomore year at Wilkes University, and I am currently entering into my junior year. It really is never too early to start. Plus the career opportunity office at Wilkes University is very helpful and guides you every step of the way. While interning you learn a great deal about what you enjoy, plus find new interests that you would like to pursue. It helps to clarify what direction you want to take your education for your career path. Wilkes University definitely assists you in finding what enjoy from the classroom, to helping you obtain internships that are beneficial to your education and future.

Back on the Race Track!

The weekend for the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 has unfortunately come to an end, like all good things do. But what an exciting weekend it was. The excitement began at the Pocono Raceway on Thursday July 29, 2010 and lasted all the way through the weekend to August 1, 2010.

On Friday July 30, 2010 was the first day there was any action on the racetrack. On Friday there was just practice and then qualifying for the NASCAR and ARCA racing series. During the NASCAR qualifying long time patrons of the Pocono Raceway had the opportunity to wave the green and white flags to signal the drivers. It was awesome for me to be up front and close to watch these patrons take part in qualifying, I cannot even imagine how excited they had to of been for this once in a lifetime opportunity. I really enjoyed getting out into the public and interacting with these true race fans, and even better long time supporters of the Pocono Raceway!

The schedule for Saturday July 31, 2010 at Pocono Raceway was changed up from a typical Saturday at Pocono, where the only race at Pocono was the ACRA race. This year the Camping World Truck Series came up to the Poconos! Plus the Truck Race was a huge success! The Grandstand was absolutely packed with spectators. There was a huge interest in the Truck race coming to the Pocono Raceway and patrons from all over came out to see it! Then following the Truck Race was the ACRA series which also had a great crowd of spectators. Saturday at the Pocono Raceway was the perfect day for racing. The weather cooperated, and the entire place was packed with patrons who truly love the sport of racing!

Finally onto Sunday August 1, 2010; the day of the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500, the main event of the entire race weekend at Pocono Raceway. Unfortunately the weather once again was not the best conditions to hold a race, but nevertheless the race was exciting and was able to finish. Even with the rain delays, and the red flag due to the terrible crash involving Kurt Busch and Elliott Sadler, did not keep the race from ending with Greg Biffle taking the checkered flag.

This was yet again another awesome race weekend spent at the Pocono Raceway! This race weekend I had the opportunity and was able to spend more time out in the public with the patrons of the Pocono Raceway to see and understand their love for the sport. Being part of the race weekend and its events is an awesome atmosphere to be a part of, and the patrons I spoke with definitely showed that to me! The race weekend atmosphere is one of a kind and if you have not been to one yet I would highly recommend it, because I am sure it will be an enjoyable experience! Hopefully the Pocono Raceway will see you next year!