It is possible to recruit our students for a variety of different types of positions, including management training programs and career opportunities, internship or field study experiences, and part-time or summer jobs.
Within this framework, it is important to understand the distinction between a field study experience and a part-time or summer job. The distinguishing characteristic of a field study experience is that it involves a contract between three parties, completed in advance of the beginning of the student’s work. The parties to the contract are the student, the supervisor at the field study site, and the HTM faculty field studies supervisor. The purpose of this contract is to assure that the field studies experience will involve a series of activities or challenges that contribute to the student’s professional development and education through exposure to managerial aspects of the business. During the field study experience, the student keeps a work log and works on a business issue or challenge / problem approved by both the host and the faculty supervisor. The student will evaluate and come up with possible solutions for this challenge/problem for their midterm and final report. The extensive final report also includes a description of the operation, an operational case study, job description, technology assessment. At the end of the field study the onsite supervisor will do a formal evaluation of the student, closing the final loop in a supervised experience.
Field Study
All HTM students are required to complete a field study / internship experience. This experience involves a cooperative arrangement between the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management - Virginia Tech and an approved hospitality business whereby an advanced undergraduate student receives professional, practical experience under the supervision and guidance of a qualified professional.
The field study experience involves 400 hours of work experience. It may take place in a wide variety of hospitality businesses --- where the personnel qualified to supervise students are employed, and where the program can simulate as closely as possible the experiences of the working professional and provide the student an appreciation of the duties, and responsibilities of the hospitality professional.
The field study experience involves 400 hours of work experience. It may take place in a wide variety of hospitality businesses --- where the personnel qualified to supervise students are employed, and where the program can simulate as closely as possible the experiences of the working professional and provide the student an appreciation of the duties, and responsibilities of the hospitality professional.
Aims and Objectives
The field study experience, HTM 4964, is designed to provide the student an opportunity to practice, and improve the skills, theories, and knowledge gained through her / his classes. This field study is a mutually beneficial situation in which the business benefits from the intern’s expertise and abilities and the intern benefits from exposure to a “real world laboratory.”
In accepting a field study student, the hospitality business will be fulfilling a professional responsibility for preparing future leaders in the field as well as helping the University produce better qualified persons for responsible positions in the profession.
In accepting a field study student, the hospitality business will be fulfilling a professional responsibility for preparing future leaders in the field as well as helping the University produce better qualified persons for responsible positions in the profession.
Student Qualifications
It is our responsibility to ensure students are prepared for the field study experience. Before they can enroll in the class, students must first (a) complete a set of basic business core courses, including accounting, economics, marketing, management and finance courses, (b) complete two of three hospitality management courses (HTM 3414: Food Purchasing, Production and Management; HTM 3524: Lodging Management, and HTM 3444: Financial Management and Cost Control for Hospitality Organizations) and (c) demonstrate a minimum 300 hours of hospitality industry work experience.
Required Field Study Experiences
The field study is expected to be a professional experience incorporating a wide range of responsibilities where the student becomes a working part of the business. The student should gain a broad experience in management and business functions through working, observing, participating, and managing. Students should gain at least the following exposures and
experiences where appropriate and applicable to the business setting.
experiences where appropriate and applicable to the business setting.
Administration and Management
The business should assign and schedule the intern in such a way as to give her/him practical experience in the skills, techniques, and responsibilities involved in the administration and management of the business. This assignment should include in so far as possible experiences in business policies and procedures, personnel relations and responsibilities, fiscal operations, and marketing and public relations.
Organization and Supervision
To the extent possible, the intern should be scheduled and assigned to participate in experiences involving the organization and supervision of various areas, programs, events, and personnel. Depending upon the program and the intern’s capabilities, the business may assign the intern to assist, as appropriate, in leadership roles and in special assignments made by the
business.
business.
Facility, Maintenance and Operation
To the extent possible, the student should be scheduled and assigned to various operations in such a way as to provide him/her with reasonable learning experiences in the areas of facility maintenance, operation, and planning.
Special Project
Field study students are expected to complete a special project for the business. The purposes of this project are (a) to provide value to the business and (b) to require independent, self-directed work from the student.
Supervisor's Responsibilities
An individual designated by the business will be in charge of the student’s training during the field study experience and will also work closely with the field study supervisor of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management – Virginia Tech. This individual will serve as a teacher offering instruction and supervision to the intern, and will utilize the business’ operations to further the student’s professional development. The supervisor will be asked to complete an evaluation of the student upon completion of their experience.
For further information about the HTM Field Study experience, please review the materials on
the HTM website at the following address.
http://www.htm.pamplin.vt.edu/undergraduate/fieldstudy/index.html
the HTM website at the following address.
http://www.htm.pamplin.vt.edu/undergraduate/fieldstudy/index.html
