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 120 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 120 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 and our network of Hospitality Management Program Partners (learn more and explore opportunities), the Hospitality Management program at The Ohio State University develops students into future hospitality management leaders through meaningful, real-world learning experiences.
 
The curriculum is intentionally designed to provide a well-rounded foundation, offering exposure to a wide range of segments across the hospitality industry while helping you build the skills needed to succeed in dynamic, people-centered environments.
 
Internships and field experiences begin during the first week of classes, making early planning important. Students are encouraged to begin their search at least one month in advance—earlier when possible—to identify opportunities that align with their interests and career goals.

Steps to secure a field experience

We encourage students to pursue paid internship opportunities whenever possible. In many cases, part-time positions within hospitality businesses can align well with internship requirements, allowing students to gain meaningful experience while earning income.

  1. Determine requirements for class.
  2. Create a list of companies that interest you, including opportunities with our Hospitality Management Program Partners.
  3. Research companies by visiting their websites. Search on the careers or employment section, as most organizations provide job and internship listings online.
  4. Update your resume and tailor your 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 opportunities.”). EHE Career Services is available as a resource to review your resume and provide feedback.
  5. Create a cover letter that includes:
    • Introduction
    • How you learned about the opportunity
    • Statement that you are seeking an internship for course credit
    • Your short-term and long-term professional goals
    • Preferred work areas or positions
    • Availability, including desired weekly hours
    • Additional information not reflected on your resume (e.g., relevant background or reasons for your interest in the company)
    EHE Career Services can also review your cover letter and provide feedback. If you are submitting your resume via email, you may incorporate key details from your cover letter into the body of your message.
  6. Follow each company’s application guidelines, which may include submitting materials through an online system.

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.