SPECIAL PROGRAMS  

WORK EXPERIENCE

An essential part of our curriculum is our Work Experience Practicum (HRT 3003).  A student work requirement of 600 hours must be completed in a hospitality/tourism field prior to graduation.  These experiences may lead to entry level positions upon graduation.

INTERNSHIP

A sponsored internship (HRT 3290) represents an outstanding opportunity to:

• Significantly enhance ones professional credentials 

• Network within a specific industry segment (concentration area)   

• Earn (3) credits for an HRT elective (in some cases HRT 3290 may be taken in lieu of a specified elective within a concentration)

Under the supervision of an HRT faculty, the student will intern at the site of a participating organization which directs the intern in a specific research project.  Readings and other research activities may be assigned.  Students desiring to take this course should apply a semester in advance for School approval.  Open to all Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration majors.  Eligibility will be determined based on a review of the student's credentials.  A minimum of eight hours per week at the site of a participating organization will be required.

HRT 3290 - HOSPITALITY INTERNSHIPS

Students should expect to commit up to 12 hours per week to this course during the Fall and Spring semesters.

            Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group

Activities and tasks will include: Turnover reports; Organization of Training Workships; Employee Benefit Tracking; Organization of Field Trips; Assistance with Administration of Benefits; all the HR and training functions, Externship Program Assistance.

            Fairmont New Orleans

Activities and tasks will include: Marketing analysis of Leisure Transient Travel 1999-2001; review guest historical records to determine origins of leisure business for Fairmont; provide average production for specific markets; determine trends if any; review effectiveness of advertising campaigns to attract business (NOTMC, Hotel, State of LA).

            Le Meridien Hotel

Activities and tasks will include: Specific tasks will include checking in and out guests, guest relocations, inspecting rooms, accounting and cashiering procedures and mastering GEAC system.

            New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau

Activities and tasks will include: Special Events Planning - January and March Business After Hours Publications - Event Calendar, Travel Planners= Guide, Official Visitors Guide; and other small projects.

            Hilton New Orleans Riverside - Meetings & Conventions Department

Activities and tasks will include:  Intern will be introduced to the Meetings & Convention Department=s overall operation.  Intern will be assisting the Conventions Service Managers in the planning process as well as the onsite operation of running a meeting.  In order to complete this project the student should have working knowledge of windows, excellent communication skills, a Ago-getter@, and in addition we would like someone who is at or near the senior level which may lead to future employment.

            Food Art, Inc. - Catering Operations

Activities and tasks will include: Overview into large scale catering operation.  Will work in all departments under supervision of department head.  Objective is to understand the process from initial to execution both front of house and back of house.  Hours are flexible.

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Approval of a specific research topic is required, prior to registration, by the supervising professor, the director of HRT and the college dean.  Involves readings, weekly conferences, and a research paper.  May be repeated for a maximum of six credits.