Hospitality Management Field Experience

Gain experience and income while earning college credit!

Basic requirements include:

Hotel Practicum – Secure an opportunity in front desk, housekeeping, sales, administration, accounting or F&B. The minimum hour requirement is 105 hours during the autumn or spring semester and must occur in a hotel.

Food Service Practicum – Secure an opportunity in a food service setting within hospitality (restaurants, banquets, etc). Minimum hour requirement is 105 hours during the autumn or spring semester.

Advanced Internship – Secure an opportunity in the segment of hospitality of your interest: lodging, food service, event planning, etc. All learning objectives should be advanced. The Advanced Internship should encourage opportunities for advancement post-graduation with a desired company. Minimum hour requirement is 180 hours during summer or spring semester.

Course Titles

CSHSPMG 2810 Hotel Management, CSHSPMG 2710 Food Production Management, CSHSPMG 3191 Advanced Internship

With opportunities for multiple internships and support from the Hospitality Management Industry Advisory Board, the Hospitality Management program at The Ohio State University develops students into future hospitality management leaders.

The curriculum for the Hospitality Management program is designed to give you a well-rounded experience, including exposure to numerous segments of the hospitality industry.

Please note that internships/field experiences must start the first week of classes. It is recommended that you begin your search at least a month in advance - or longer - to secure a position. 

Steps to secure field experience:

  1. Determine requirements for class.
  2. Create a list of companies that interest you, as well as possible positions.
  3. Research companies by visiting their websites. Search on the career tab, as most hospitality companies have careers/job search information on their websites.
  4. Update your resume and include an objective to match your position of interest (e.g., “Secure a part-time position as a Guest Service Representative in a company that offers long-term growth opportunity.”) Bring your resume to Career Services, where staff will serve as a resource, reviewing your resume and providing feedback.
  5. Create a cover letter that includes the following information:
    • Introduction
    • How you received their information
    • Statement that you are seeking an internship for course credit
    • Your short-term and long-term professional goals
    • Preferred work areas or positions
    • How many hours a week you would like to work
    • Additional information not found on your resume, such as background details that make you suitable to the company or reasons for your interest in the company.
    Career Services will review your cover letter and serve as a resource. In the event you are e-mailing your resume, it is sufficient to omit a cover letter and put applicable data in the body of your e-mail.
  6. Follow company guidelines for submitting an application. This may require applying online.

Fun and helpful facts

You are not required to secure an unpaid internship; rather, you are required to complete field experiences that fulfill course requirements. Many employers offer paid internships, so we encourage you to explore those opportunities, especially with our program partners who are committed to supporting student growth and professional development.
 
Completion of both a hotel lab experience and a food service lab experience is required. You are given autonomy to choose the specific areas in which you want to gain experience. Be sure to consult with your advisor when considering your options. We recommend seeking experiences that align with your future career goals, such as supervisory roles or operations-focused positions.

You are encouraged to think holistically when planning field experiences. All field experiences could be used to gain experience toward desired career goals. 

Want to learn more?
Visit: Internship Credit | College of Education and Human Ecology
Contact Anne Turpin, turpin.26@osu.edu or reach out to your advisor to enroll.