A new procedure has been developed for submitting the proper forms to document students' 1000 Internship hours for this class. To review this new procedure please review the New Procedure Memo.
- General Description:
HFT 4941: Field Study in Hospitality
Credit: 0
Grading: S/U
Corequisite: HFT 3224: Managerial Behavior in Hospitality Operations
This is a required class for all hospitality and PGM majors. Ideally, students will take this class their last semester. 1,000 hours of satisfactory, acceptable internship experience in the hospitality industry. Discussion expands and integrates the internship experience to enhance management decision-making skills. Report and supervisors evaluation required. Students cannot graduate without completing the internship experience requirement.
- Purpose of Requirement:
- To assure that students are acquainted with actual hospitality
industry working conditions.
- To supplement theoretical and academic subject matter with practical
experience.
- To guide students in selecting permanent employment upon graduation.
- Additional Information:
At least 1000 hours of internship experience must be completed at post-secondary level (up to 50% of the internship experience may be completed before certification into the Hospitality program). Contact Mr. LaTour if you have questions related to this.
Ideally, student must have at least one (1) semester remaining after completion of the internship experience (i.e., must be fulfilled prior to enrolling in HFT 4224 and HFT 4941). Students can submit the internship experience form at any time, and should not wait until their final (graduating) semester to submit proof of internship experience.
- Acceptable Internship Work:
Experience should be varied. To fulfill the 1000 hour internship requirement, students are encouraged to work in more than one job with one company, unless they are increasing their level of responsibility. The best experience will involve different jobs and increasing responsibility.
If there is any question as to the acceptability of the work for the internship experience, the student should request clarification from the Director of the Dedman School of Hospitality, prior to accepting the position.
Examples of acceptable work in the Hospitality industry:
- management trainee
- front office position
- night auditor
- bell person
- waiter/waitress/server/counter person at a restaurant
- host/hostess
- maitre d'hotel
- bartender or beverage waiter/waitress
- kitchen helper
- pantry person
- cook or assistant cook
- steward or assistant steward
- banquet captain
- catering/banquet sales
- convention and event planning/management for private clubs, hotels, associations, corporations, weddings, etc...
Examples of unacceptable work in the Hospitality industry:
- lifeguard or pool manager
- accounting work outside the Hospitality industry
- construction work
- landscape architecture work
- position in fraternity/sorority house
- position in retail grocery/butcher shop
- retail store clerk
- entertainer
- parking attendant
- Dormitory manager, apartment manager or similar position
- Leasing Consultant at dormitory or apartment complex
- ice cream shop
- sub-sandwich shop (May count up to 100 hours)
- counter service at a bakery, cookie store, or other retail food establishment
- administrative/secretarial work
In summation, acceptable jobs involve direct customer service, and/or operations that involve the production/service/procurement of food and/or beverages, or tasks necessary for a lodging operation (housekeeping, reservations, valet, night audit). Such jobs as dishwasher, wait staffing or hosting are good first jobs- but should not comprise all 1,000 hours of the required internship experience. Management Internships (HFT 3941) are often used by students to gain the required internship hours. An introductory internship may be centered on one position, although ideally an internship will allow the student to gain experience in a variety of jobs within the organization.
PGM students are required to complete an internship each summer and one internship needs to be at least six months in length. PGM students must still register for HFT 4941 in order to graduate. It is expected that in each internship the PGM student will gain increasing responsibilities in relation to their eventual role as a PGA professional.
International students may have challenges meeting the 1,000 hour internship experience requirement if they choose to work in the United States. Many international students have formal jobs on campus working with ARAMARK, The University Center Club, or the Visitor's Center. Often international students choose internships to gain the necessary experience hours.
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Faculty Responsibilities:
- Discuss requirements with students.
- Review performance reports from employers.
- Provide student with information and assistance concerning jobs.
- May contact employers to verify internship hours and performance.
- Coordinate classroom meeting to discuss internship experience.
- Grade industry experience reports.
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Student responsibilities:
Location & Hours
850/644-4787