Student Spotlight: Jamie Kim

There are many unique activities done by our student body that go unrecognized all the time. Many students in our school, especially the senior class, notice Jamie Kim’s unique style and want to know more when they hear the interesting little snippets about her supposed job in New York City. To learn a bit more about what she does, Madison Dodger Online (MDO) asked senior Jamie Kim (JK) about her life outside of school.

MDO: What exactly do you do at your job?

JK: I work at the restaurant Eleven Madison Park in NYC. I was the youngest person there, so I pretty much did intern stuff my first summer in the backbone of the restaurant, like working on various projects, helping with PR and learning a lot about what it takes to operate a restaurant. This past summer, I worked with Guest Relations. I interacted with guests through the phone and took reservations. Each day, we were fully booked within the first 40 minutes of opening. The phones for a reservation we take 28 days in advance, so it was intense. Our restaurant also has one 16-course tasting menu that is supposed to be a surprise for the guests, but the kitchen alters it in consideration of any allergies or aversions. In the duration of their 4-hour meals, I typed up each individual menu for each guest to take home after their meal. One of my first nights working, I typed up menus for Jimmy Fallon and Paul McCartney! I also sometimes assisted the restaurant’s “Dreamweaver”, who curates projects for the guests – making paintings, cards, travel guides, anything you can think of, specifically made to make the guest feel special. Other than that, I’ve gotten to trail as a kitchen server and stage in the kitchen to get an understanding of what that’s all about.

MDO: How did you get the job?

JK: It was a restaurant I was following for a few years and it felt like the only place I could work at, so I decided to take a chance and directly email one of the co-owners. I was surprised I even got a response so quickly, but I think I was pretty enthusiastic in my email and I was just very lucky. I met him about a month later and got the job!

MDO: What are your plans for next year?

JK: I’m going to Cornell University and entering the School of Hotel Administration.

MDO: Do you intend to ever come back to this job?

JK: Definitely. I would love to work in their dining room! A lot of people who work there have actually gone to Cornell Hotel to work in high-end places like that. Looks like I went in the opposite order! I’d like to experience different jobs as well but it’s also comforting to know that I can imagine myself coming back a few times over the next couple of years for summer or winter internships, and who knows, possibly even after I graduate.

MDO: How often are you there and how much of your time is dedicated to it?

JK: I’ve spent the entirety of two summers there – this past summer and the summer before that. The first summer was a normal schedule, 11:30am-6pm Monday-Thursday. This past summer was a bit more unpredictable, but that’s what restaurant scheduling is. I worked any 5 days a week, either a day shift, 9am-5pm, a night shift from 5 pm-usually 11ish, or a double shift where I’d be there for the entire day. I also had to commute by train each day so that took a lot of time out of the day as well.

MDO: Do you love your job and the people you work with?

JK: Yes! I always felt such energy every time I went into the restaurant, no matter how little sleep I got and no matter what task I had to do. That’s when I realized I really loved my job. The people there are like a family. They are truly some of the most passionate, caring, inspiring people I know.

MDO: How do you balance everything you do?

JK: A lot of time management: waking up a little earlier, sleeping a little later – I really spread myself thin throughout high school, but I made sure I dedicated enough time to each activity. Everything I did, I would do year-round, but I would concentrate on one activity more than on others in certain months. It was a little stressful at times, but it was a good kind of stress because I enjoyed everything I did and felt motivated.

MDO: What are some of your other hobbies?

JK: For extra curricular, I play the piano, oboe, and tennis. I started taking pottery classes this year and enjoy drawing and painting. From time to time, I also do quilling, which is the art of paper rolling. I also love cooking and preparing gatherings for my friends and family.