SIUC Hospitality and Tourism Administration

Internship Packet

INTRODUCTION
UNIT 1

Internships are a requirement to obtain the HTA degree, and MUST *be completed prior to the
last semester of classes. Students who have prior industry experience should consult with their
advisor and Internship Coordinator to determine if that prior experience may apply as the
students’ first internship. In all cases, regardless of the prior internship experience, a student
must complete an internship while attending the HTA program.
*Internships MUST be completed prior to your last semester of classes. When you are working
with your advisor preparing your 4-year-plan make certain that your schedule allows you time
prior to your last semester of classes to complete your internships. Students should
contemplate the value of a six-month internship versus completing two-400-hour internships.
400-HOUR INTERNSHIP
Internships may take one of two formats. First are the two-400-hour internships. In this format
internships are completed during two summer sessions of a students’ academic career. The first
internship should be accomplished during the second summer or end of the Sophomore year and
be a front line position, in the hospitality area of interest to the student. The first internship
experience will include a minimum of three competencies assigned by the Advisor/Internship
Coordinator. These competencies are developed specifically for the student to work with their
internship supervisor(s.) The competencies will encompass different sectors of the hospitality
enterprise with the goal of the student successfully performing the competencies and have them
validated by the attending supervisor.
The second internship should be accomplished during the second or third summer or end of the
Junior year and must be supervisory in nature, in the hospitality area of interest to the student.
The second internship experience will include a minimum of three competencies assigned by the
Advisor/Internship Coordinator. The competencies will encompass different sectors of the
hospitality enterprise with the goal of the student successfully performing the competencies and
have them validated by the attending supervisor.
SIX-MONTH INTERNSHIP
The second format is called the six-month internship. These internships are completed from
May/June through January prior to the first week of classes, or Dec/January through August prior
to the first week of classes. These internships would require a student to attend summer school
for two summers taking six to nine credit hours in order to graduate in four years. This format of
internships must be accomplished during the Senior year, or prior to the last semester of classes.
This format of this internship is more detailed in that a student should be seeking an internship

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with a company, corporation, or particular enterprise where they want to begin their career. This
means the internship is an (MIT) Management in Training, or other structured management
program offered by the employer where the student applies. Approval of this internship is
contingent on a structured training program.
Process for Approval of Internship
 The student completes Unit Two: Occupational Check-sheet and prepares a professional
resume these will help students focus on their career area and will be presented to their
advisor to assist in their counseling.
 The student is responsible to discuss with their advisor about arranging their internship
with an employer. The student should obtain a Job Description and evidence that the
employer understands the employer responsibilities.
 The student must discuss with their advisor how that job description at that particular
internship site will provide them with a positive career experience that will add to their
marketability upon graduation.
 The advisor must be satisfied with the student’s internship selection.
 The student will then make a presentation to the Internship Coordinator requesting formal
approval to complete the Internship Agreement.
 After the Internship Coordinator has approved the request to complete the Internship
Agreement, the student with the employer will complete the Internship Agreement and
present the document to the Internship Coordinator for signature. The student should
make certain that the employer understands their responsibilities prior to obtaining their
signature. The Internship Coordinator will then forward a signed, approved copy to both
the employer and the student.
 The Internship Agreement must be on file with the Internship Coordinator prior to the
first day of the internship for credit approval.
This process must be followed for internship(s) credit approval.

COMPETENCIES
Competencies are educational/industry assignments that provide students with opportunity to
assist, plan, observe, analyze, and participate in management exercises with supervisors from
different departments other than their internship assignment. This adds depth and breadth of
knowledge to the internship experience. Competencies could be assigned in Human Resources,
Food and Beverage, Marketing, Catering and Banquets, Engineering and Maintenance, or other
areas depending on the individual internship being considered.

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 EXPLORING HOSPITALITY CAREERS
UNIT 2

Complete the Occupational Check-Sheet, provided below and a polished resume. By

understanding more about what you want to do, your advisor is better equipped to assist you in
your selection of an internship. Prepare a draft resume before visiting Career Services in Woody
Hall to utilize their services to polish your resume. Bring both your completed Occupational
Check-Sheet and professional resume to your advisor for discussions about internships. This
exercise will assist you in focusing on career goals and assist your Advisor in determining your
preparedness for your internship.

HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM

OCCUPATIONAL CHECK-SHEET

How qualified do you believe you are for your hospitality internship?

1. Very well qualified 2. Well qualified. 3. Fairly qualified. 4. Not qualified.

Please explain your answer above in a paragraph or two.

How many hours are you willing to work per week as an intern? (38-40) 2. (41-45) 3. (46-50) 4. (51-60)

For your internship please rank only four positions from those listed below using the scale 1—most
important position to 4—somewhat important position.
RANK POSITION
____ Accounts Payable Clerk

____ Accounts Receivable Clerk

____ Night Auditor

____ Payroll Assistant

____ Payroll Clerk

____ Bell Staff

____ Cashier

____ Concierge

____ Customer Service Representative

____ Front Office Cashier

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____ Hotel Front Desk Agent

____ Hotel Reservations Operator/Clerk

____ Hotel Switchboard Operator

____ Laundry Attendant

____ Linen and uniform Attendant

____ Linen Distribution Attendant

____ Lobby Attendant

____ Mail Clerk

____ Night Clerk

____ Parking Facilities/Valet Attendant

____ Receptionist

____ Rooms Attendant

____ Security Guard

____ Supply Clerk

____ Translator

____ Assistant Baker

____ Assistant Fry Cook

____ Assistant Pantry Person

____ Assistant Service Cook

____ Assistant Soup/Vegetable Cook

____ Assistant Steward

____ Banquet Assistant Cook

____ Banquet Bartender

____ Banquet Beverage Server

____ Banquet Beverage Runner

____ Banquet Busperson

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____ Banquet Cook

____ Banquet Houseperson

____ Banquet Runner

____ Banquet Server

____ Bartender

____ Beverage Runner

____ Broiler Cook

____ Busperson

____ Cashier

____ Counter Person/Server

____ Dishwasher

____ Fry/Saute Cook

____ Head Dishwasher

____ Head Pantry Person

____ Head Room service Cook

____ Soup/Vegetable Cook

____ Kitchen attendant

____ Pantry Cook

____ Receiving Clerk

____ Service Bartender

____ Serving Line Attendant

____ Steward’s Runner

____ Waitperson

____ Human Resources Personnel Assistant

____ Catering Sales Assistant

____ Clerical Staff Catering

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 ____ Caddie

____ Lifeguard

____ Social Activities Coordinator

____ Swimming Instructor

____ Swimming Pool Manager

____ OTHER please list______________________________________

Please rank the four segments you want to work for using the scale 1—most important segment to 4 least
important segment. Then rank only four types of operations from those listed below using the scale 1—
most important type to 4—somewhat important type—you would be seeking for your first internship.

___FOODSERVICE Segment

Types of operations:

___Quick service, ___Specialty/fine dining restaurant, ___Club, ___Hotel dining, ___Catering,

___Educational foodservice, ___Health care foodservice, ___Nightclubs, ___Casinos, ___Airline
catering, ____Other

___LODGING Segment

Types of operations:

___Full-service, ___Luxury, ___Convention, ____ All-suite, ___Mid-scale, ___Limited service,

___Resort, ___Conference center, ___Inn, ___Motel, ___Bed & Breakfast, ____Other

___RECREATION Segment

Types of operations:

___Theme Park, ___Attractions, ___Marinas, ___Sports & Leisure facilities, ___Campgrounds, ___Parks

___TRAVEL AND TOURISM RELATED Segment

Types of operations:

___Airlines, ___Cruise lines, ___Tour operations, ___Travel agencies, ___Meeting and Event planning,
___Convention center management, ___CVB’s, ____

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 INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES
Unit 3
Your internship(s) fulfill(s) your Field Experience requirements for your HTA degree. You are
required to maintain a daily journal or diary in which you record the impact, instance or manner
in which something (incident, phenomenon, action, utterance, or feeling) that occurred during
your day; whether it was impressive, important, slight, or to some degree having an effect on
your activities during your internship.
What are the interns’ responsibilities? The intern is responsible for the following six primary
objectives.

1. Selecting the right internship. This means you will have located a business that is interested
in having an intern, that you have utilized old internship sites recommended by previous
interns, or received a lead from the HTA faculty. You must be interested in doing an
internship at this business because it will enhance your abilities, skills, and knowledge of the
type of career in which you are interested in; something that will build your resume and
prepare you for your future in hospitality. If the business is interested in having you intern
and the employer understands their employer responsibilities you need to obtain a JOB
DESCRIPTION. This job description is what you will take with you to your Advisor and
Internship Coordinator to seek their advice, counseling and approval* for your internship.
Begin this process in the fall semester before your first summer internship.
*Approval is reflective of the internship purpose, obligation, needs, and standing of the
individual student. This approval is to provide the intern with an opportunity to succeed
and the sponsoring organization with a productive employee.

2. Having your internship approved. After you have brought the JOB DESCRIPTION to your
advisor, sought his/her advice, and both of you agree, that this position is appropriate and
make your presentation to the Internship Coordinator for approval to complete the
Internship Agreement. The student with the employer will then complete the Internship
Agreement document—again making sure the employer understands the employer
responsibilities. This document is then presented to the Internship Coordinator for signature.
Once the internship agreement* is signed by all parties Internship Coordinator will then
forward a signed, approved copy to both the employer and the student.
*Although this is a standard agreement, interns will be given specific educational and or
employment provisions (competencies) to add structure to their particular internship
experience. The internship agreement must be on file prior to the first day of your
internship.

3. Performing the contracted job for the employer, writing in your daily Journal* and
completing your three competencies. This process is completed by the student demonstrating
intellectual curiosity, initiative, ambition, perseverance, patience, tact, flexibility, open
mindedness, enthusiasm, and putting forth the effort to make contributions to the
organization and then writing in your journal what occurred that day. What questions did you

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 ask? What answers did you get? What other conversations did you have? What training or
learning experience did you have? What did you do to enlarge your network? What problems
did you solve? In other words, be the ideal intern and make your best impression. Your
competencies will require you to seek out other managers or departments. Make
appointments to get the information, interview, or materials you need to accomplish the
competency. Depending on what your three competences are and the length of your
internship try to complete one competency every two-to-three weeks during your internship.
As each competency is completed and signed off; send the documentation by mail
immediately to the Internship Coordinator.
*Your daily journal can be a notepad, three ring binder or some other method to record
your daily activities during your internship. This journal is required on the first day of
class for 371a, b, or c. You will be using your journal everyday in class.

4. Registration for your internship in HTA 371A, b, or c. Students must inform their advisor in
advance for permission to register for HTA 371 a, b, or c the semester after they have
completed their internship. These courses can be completed only once.

5. Tendering of the internship reflection papers* and employer evaluation**. After your
internship, you will be enrolled in HTA 371a, b, or c. HTA 371 a, or b for three credits or
HTA 371 c for six credits. These reflection papers will encourage you to contemplate on your
experiences and what you learned during your internship.
*For your HTA 371 class, you will be asked to complete a series of reflection papers
related to issues, topics, episodes, abilities, skills and knowledge obtained during your
internship experience. **The Employer Evaluation must be faxed or mailed by the
employer directly to the Internship Coordinator. Receipt of Evaluations in any other
format will not be accepted.

6. Sharing of your experience. As the reflection papers are written, oral presentations* to
classmates who have yet to complete their internship will/may be required.
*Oral presentations to HTA 202 or other HTA courses will/may be required. If you are
selected to make a presentation it is because you have something to offer to students who
have yet to complete or to provide transitional experience to their internship. Look upon
this as an opportunity to improve yourself and help others.

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 HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE
INTERNSHIP AGREEMENT
UNIT 4

INTERNSHIP #1_____ INTERNSHIP #2_____ 6-MONTH INTERNSHIP_____

Proceeding the commencement date of this agreement, it must be completed, signed and on file with the
organizations authorized representative, the student, and the Internship Coordinator.

The ________________________________________________________ Organization,

Name of Organization.
Located at _____________________________________________, ____________, ____
Address City State
Agrees to accept _________________________________________________________
Name of Student
for the internship position of ______________________________________________
Position Title (attach position/job description)
for a minimum total of (400 hours/six months) commencing on _____________, ______
Circle One Month/Date Year
concluding on _______________, __________. The above named student will receive
Month/Date Year
compensation of $____________ per (hour/week/month) while in performance of this
Circle One
internship. The interns’ direct supervisor is ____________________________________
Name of Supervisor
And may be contacted at ______-______-________ or ______-______-________
Telephone Number FAX Number
by the Internship Coordinator for updates on the student interns progress. By signing this agreement the
organization also agrees to employer responsibilities attached to this agreement.
________________________________________, agrees to perform in the above named
Name of Student
position, for the above named company, for the above named time, at above named compensation.

Signed:

_________________________________________ _________________, __________

Organization Authorized Representative Signature Month/Date Year

_______________________________________ __________________, ___________

Student Signature Month/Date Year

This internship is: Approved/Not Approved—Justification for non-approval

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 (Circle One)
Internship Coordinator Signature ____________________Month/Date________/____ Year___________
 EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES

UNIT 5

 The employer will adequately train and orient the student interns in their position according
to the job description provided for internship approval.
 The employer agrees to employ, schedule, and pay the student intern as agreed and hold the
student intern responsible for their position.
 The employer agrees to inform the student intern in advance of any required overtime hours
and compensate the intern in accordance with the governing laws and regulations, and
policies, and procedures of the organization regulating overtime.
 The student intern must be placed under the direct supervisor, named in the internship
agreement, so the student’s progress can be monitored; and that counsel, advice, and
suggestions may be given to the student intern for improving their work. It is suggested that
the direct supervisor and the Internship Coordinator communicate twice during the
internship.
 The student’s direct supervisor is responsible for the completion and mailing of the
evaluation form provided by the student intern to the Internship Coordinator.
 If the student intern does not perform in accordance with the policies, procedures, rules, and
regulations of the organization and has been given the necessary opportunities outlined in the
preceding the employer may terminate the internship agreement. However, all documentation
for said termination must be sent to the Internship Coordinator.
 The student intern (during a 400 hour) is given the opportunity and given assistance in
completing the competencies provided by the Internship Coordinator to the direct supervisor
to enhance their internship experience.
 When the organization and/or the direct supervisor believe the student intern is qualified, to
provide them with diversified assignments which will give them a breadth and depth of
experiences.
 When the organization and/or the direct supervisor believe the student intern is qualified, will
provide the student intern with an opportunity to act in a supervisory role.
 When he organization and/or the direct supervisor believe the student intern is qualified, will
invite the student intern to attend meetings and training sessions.
 The organization and/or the direct supervisor in signing the internship agreement agree to the
above employer responsibilities.

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 INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR
RESPONSIBILITIES

UNIT 6

 The Internship Coordinator will hold the student responsible for their internship
responsibilities.
 The Internship Coordinator considering each individual student standing and progress will
advise, counsel, and approve a student internship with an organization that will provide the
best opportunity for success for both parties.
 The Internship Coordinator will hold each party responsible to the internship agreement.
 The Internship Coordinator and the direct supervisor of the student intern should
communicate at least twice during the internship for an informal monitoring of the student
interns’ progress, for advice and counsel as deemed necessary.
 The Internship Coordinator with honesty, integrity, fairness and confidentiality will assess
and consider the following: Informal monitoring with direct supervisor and student intern,
Direct Supervisor Formal Evaluation Form, Student completion of three competencies,
Student completion of all Internship Guidelines, Conference with the student intern, and
Completion of all HTA 371 course reflection papers before assigning the grade earned for the
internship courses HTA 371a, b, or c.

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