Lilia Atkinson
Columbia,SC
Summary
Sophomore Public Relations major with interests in marketing, sales, and commercial real estate, complemented by a passion for global travel and cultural exploration. Driven to understand how businesses operate and engage diverse audiences, with a strong focus on gaining hands-on experience and building a well-rounded skill set. Proactive and motivated, actively seeking internship opportunities to develop professional skills and establish a strong foundation in business and communications.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Bartender
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta, GA
04.2026 - Current
- Youngest bartender selected to work in Berckmans Place at the 2026 Masters Tournament
- Worked 14+ hour shifts in an elite, high-end hospitality environment serving guests and Green Jacket members
- Prepared a high volume of drinks with precision while maintaining exceptional service standards
- Handled transactions efficiently and adapted quickly in a fast-paced setting
- Strengthened multitasking, communication, and ability to perform under pressure
- Collaborated with a diverse, high-performing team in a world-class event setting
Hostess
Cantina76
Columbia, SC
01.2026 - Current
- Work as a Host at Cantina 76 while managing a full-time course load of 21 credit hours
- Deliver exceptional guest experiences in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
- Manage reservations, coordinate seating, and maintain efficient front-of-house flow
- Strengthen time management, multitasking, and communication skills
- Collaborate with team members to ensure smooth daily operations
Demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and adaptability during peak hours
Hostess, Busser, Runner
Farley's Pub
Simsbury, CT
07.2022 - Current
- Served in multiple front-of-house roles (host, busser, food runner) over three years in a high-volume restaurant-
- Managed guest flow, coordinated seating, and delivered food efficiently
- Maintained a clean and organized dining environment to enhance guest experience
- Demonstrated reliability, teamwork, and adaptability during peak hours and events
- Developed strong customer service, time management, and communication skills
Bartender
Simsbury Farms Golf Course
Simsbury, CT
05.2025 - 08.2025
- Delivered exceptional customer service in a high-volume, member-focused environment while managing beverage service, POS transactions, and inventory.
- Demonstrated strong sales, upselling, and time management skills, and built leadership and communication abilities through teamwork and fast-paced service
Sales Representative
Vector Marketing Company
Simsbury, CT
05.2025 - 07.2025
- Served as a sales representative for a nationally recognized direct sales organization, responsible for promoting and selling premium kitchen products through structured presentations and client consultations.
- Conducted professional product demonstrations, identified customer needs, and delivered tailored recommendations to drive sales and long-term client relationships.
- Operated in a performance-based environment requiring strong time management, self-motivation, and accountability while independently scheduling appointments and managing a personal sales pipeline.
- Developed advanced skills in persuasive communication, negotiation, and relationship-building, while gaining hands-on experience in sales strategy, goal setting, and business professionalism.
Office Assistant
Avon Driving School
Simsbury, CT
09.2022 - 05.2023
- Managed daily office operations independently during assigned shifts, ensuring the smooth, efficient operation of the driving school.
- Ran errands and handled administrative tasks such as filing paperwork, organizing records, and maintaining accurate student documentation.
- Reviewed, tracked, and checked off completed driving lessons to ensure proper scheduling, compliance, and progress reporting.
- Assisted students, parents, and instructors with questions, scheduling needs, and general support, often serving as the sole point of contact while running the office alone.
- Demonstrated strong organization, accountability, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced, client-facing environment.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Mass Communication - Public Relations
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC05-2028
Skills
- Strong multitasking
- Public Speaking
- Hardworking/driven
- Customer service
- Highly reliable
- Team player attitude
- Clear and effective communication
- Outgoing personality
- Customer service expertise
- Customer relations
- Customer relationship building
Accomplishments
Inducted into Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society (April 2025) at the University of Rhode Island in recognition of first-year academic excellence.
Gained hands-on media production experience through a local broadcasting studio, developing skills in filming, editing (Adobe Premiere), scriptwriting, and on-camera presentation. Produced short- and long-form content, including March Madness features and school events, and co-created an award-winning distracted driving video for FOX61 Student News, earning 2nd place and $7,500 in funding.
Self-funded study abroad program in Barcelona (June 2026), raising $1,900 through a personal campaign to support tuition and travel. Driven by a strong passion for global travel and cultural exploration, with prior international experience shaping a commitment to gaining cross-cultural perspectives.
Affiliations
Women in Business Club:
Active member of Women in Business Club at the University of South Carolina, participating in professional development workshops, networking events, and mentorship programs to build leadership skills, career readiness, and industry connections.
Carolina Business Analytics
Member of Carolina Business Analytics at the University of South Carolina, developing skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making through applying analytical tools to real-world business scenarios.
SCORE:
Active member of South Carolina Organization of Real estate at the University of South Carolina, gaining foundational knowledge in commercial real estate through industry meetings, guest speakers, and networking with professionals across brokerage, development, and investment.
Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority:
Active member of Zeta Tau Alpha at the University of Rhode Island freshman year of college, contributing to leadership, philanthropy, and service initiatives while collaborating with peers to support academic excellence and campus involvement.
Timeline
Bartender
Augusta National Golf Club
04.2026 - Current
Hostess
Cantina76
01.2026 - Current
Bartender
Simsbury Farms Golf Course
05.2025 - 08.2025
Sales Representative
Vector Marketing Company
05.2025 - 07.2025
Office Assistant
Avon Driving School
09.2022 - 05.2023
Hostess, Busser, Runner
Farley's Pub
07.2022 - Current
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Mass Communication - Public Relations
University of South Carolina