Programs : Internships
HM 515 Hospitality Internship Class
The objective of the internship class is to provide students the opportunity to apply the theory and ideas learned in class to a real world hospitality/tourism setting. In addition, this internship allows students to work in one the most highly respected hospitality cities in the world, San Francisco.
About the Internship Program
Typically 60 to 80 students participate in the internship program each semester. They are senior-level students majoring in hospitality and tourism management. Approximately 30 hospitality and tourism companies participate in the program each semester. The company will provide a structured learning/experience program for the student, for example, that rotates through several departments or positions. Each student-company relationship must have a clear outline of responsibilities that is agreed upon prior to beginning the internship.
How it Works
Class Meeting
All enrolled students are required to attend the first, and only, meeting of the semester. See iLearn for meeting date, time, and class location. The following topics will be discussed:
- Prerequisites are verified and confirmed.
- Policies and procedures are reviewed.
- An HTM approved hospitality & tourism company list is distributed.
First Ten Days
- Students contact 3 or 4 companies to arrange on-site interviews.
- Companies make "offers" and students "accept" their internship position for the semester.
- Internship Placement Agreement paperwork is completed and submitted.
Internship Begins
200+ hours are completed.
All assignments turned in by last day of the semester.
Qualifications + Prerequisites
Hospitality and/or tourism work experience is required for this class in order for the HTM student's internship experience to be as effective as possible for both the student and company.
Four criteria must be met to enroll in this class:
- HTM majors only
- Senior standing (prefer final semester)
- A minimum of 350 hours of work experience in the hospitality services industry is required. You must provide a signed letter from your employer demonstrating that you have a minimum of 350 hours.
- A minimum of 50 hours of professional development. This consists of hospitality-related experience such as Taste-of-the-Bay, Vista Room, Hospitality Club Membership, or company training.
Students, who do not have hospitality and/or tourism work experience, for example only have retail/customer service experience, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students in this case must provide for me the company name and type of work you have completed and it will be given consideration. If approved, proof of 350 minimum hours worked is still required. Note: If a student has taken HM 200 (which is no longer offered), then he/she can be approved to waive the required 350 hours of experience.
Internship Requirements
General
Internships typically involve a structured learning/experience program for the student that rotate through several departments or positions. You may choose to focus on only one department at your chosen internship location however you must have permission from the course instructor. Each internship must have a clear outline of responsibilities that is agreed upon prior to you beginning your internship (Internship Placement Agreement).
Participating Internship Companies
The internship must be completed with a company that has been approved by the course instructor.
- A list of participating internship companies who have been vetted and approved will be provided to students on the first day of class (not before). These companies represent a wide variety of hospitality and tourism entities.
- It is admissible to conduct your internship with another company within the hospitality and tourism industry that is not on the approved list. However, before approval of this company I must review and vet the company to make sure that you will meet all of the class requirements.
- For students that are already working in the Hospitality Industry, you may complete your internship at your current place of employment, subject to the following rules:
- - Permission must be given, in advance, by the course instructor.
- - You must complete your internship hours in a different department(s) than the one you are currently working in.
Hours Required
The internship must consist of performing a minimum of 200 work hours (either on a paid or unpaid basis). The 200 hundred hours must be completed by the last day of the semester.
In order for the internship to be counted toward class credit, the 200+ hours of the internship must be performed during the actual semester. For example, if the semester runs from January 24–May 13, then the intern hours must fall between those dates.
Assignments
The course includes a number of required assignments outlined below:
- Internship Placement Agreement
- Career Center Assignment
- Monthly Timesheet
- Mid-Term Assessment
- Student Management Project: this project involves a task that requires students to produce something that can be used by the company offering the internship, e.g., development of a new marketing plan; or an update of an existing training manual or standard operating procedures manual.
Participating Company Requirements
Companies who wish to participate in the internship program must be approved by the SFSU faculty advisor.
Participating companies must meet the following criteria:
- Be an actively engaged company in the hospitality/tourism industry. For example, hotel, restaurant, DMC, convention facility, etc.
- Provide a structured learning/experience program for the student, for example, that rotates through several departments or positions.
- Each student-company relationship must have a clear outline of responsibilities that is agreed upon prior to beginning the internship.
- Provide 200+ unpaid or paid hours to the respective intern while helping the student achieve their stated goals, objectives, duties and special project.
- Provide a detailed description of work responsibilities that the intern is expected to perform. For example, intern will be shadowing front desk agents, reservationists, and PBX operators in order to learn about the front desk operations.
- Provide research or special project details that the intern must accomplish during their intern assignment. For example, assisting the room executive with a competitive guest room rate analysis.
- Provide a performance evaluation at the end of the semester as it pertains to the job requirements as agreed to at the beginning of the internship.
Industry Work Hours
Obtaining the prerequisite hours through an unpaid internship
For students who seek to obtain some or all of their 350 hours of industry work experience (the prerequisite requirements) through their own unpaid internship, please read the following:
- The pre-class internship must be arranged between you and the company.
- SF State will provide liability coverage for any student who needs field experience for HTM 557 or work experience for HTM 515 as long as it is a requirement for their curriculum and the site requests such coverage. SFSU liability coverage is NOT offered for paid positions.
- For liability coverage, unpaid interns must read and complete the following information: Please find below the Safety & Risk Management weblink which provides information and a request form for students whose internships require evidence of insurance coverage.
- Student Intern Information: http://www.sfsu.edu/~hrwww/Safety_Risk_Operations/stu_interns/stu_interns.html#5
- Student Intern Insurance Request form: http://www.sfsu.edu/~hrwww/online_forms/safety_risk/Student%20Interns/Student%20Intern%20Insurance%20Request%20form.pdf
- Reminder: HTM 515 requires a minimum of 350 hours of work experience in the hospitality services industry is required for entry into this course. A signed letter from your employer(s) demonstrating that you have a minimum of 350 hours is required.
HTM Internship Contact
Andrew Walls, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management
Office: BUS 342
Phone: (415) 338-1217
Email: arwalls@sfsu.edu
