Internships

Students are required to complete two academic credit based work experiences, a practicum and an internship.  While additional experiences are highly recommended during the student's freshman and sophomore years, these two field experiences are taken during the summer of their junior and senior years.

The practicum experience is a 3 credit-hour course that is taken in the summer months of the student's junior year.  The practicum consists of a minimum of 120 contact hours in the field of hospitality, event management or tourism.  The practicum site must be approved by supervising faculty and can be performed on a paid or volunteer basis.  The practicum student is responsible for communicating with his/her practicum faculty supervisor during the practicum experience.  Students registering for a practicum experience will receive a complete book of instructions with required forms and assignments.

The internship experience is designed as a more intensive and in-depth experience for the student. The internship is a 12 credit, 12 week course and consists of a minimum of 480 contact hours in the field of hospitality, event management or tourism. Typically, students would take the internship experience during the summer following their last semester of coursework.  Internship sites must be approved by the supervising faculty member and can be performed on a paid or volunteer basis. The internship student is responsible for communicating with his/her internship faculty supervisor during the internship experience. Students registering for an internship experience will receive a complete book of instructions with required forms and assignments.

Internships are a vital component of the Resort, Recreation & Hospitality Management program. They provide an opportunity to practice the skills and competencies acquired in the major courses. Internships are valuable experiences and can often lead to employment opportunities.

Resorts, hotels, cruise lines, conference facilities, country clubs, amusement and theme parks, YMCA's and, city/township recreation departments provide practical experience areas for students seeking positions in this field of study.

Internships are available in a variety of agencies, such as:

• Resorts (Golf/Ski)
• Hotels
• Visitor & Convention Bureaus
• Country Clubs
• Public Recreation Agencies
• YMCA's
• Casinos

Example RRHM internship agencies include:

• Omni Amelia Island Plantation, FL
• Kiawah Island Golf Resort, SC
• Visit Pittsburgh, PA
• South Seas Island Resort, FL
• Cranberry Township Recreation, PA
• Tradewinds Island Resort, FL
• Sunriver Resort, OR