Internships are at the core of the college’s mission, which is to help students develop hands-on skills by connecting them with real-world professional opportunities. This past summer, the following four students took this opportunity to heart, devoting their time to working and learning at internships across the country.

by Eduardo Hernandez

Claiborne Ford - Senior
Hometown: Irving, Texas
Circa Resort & Casino | Las Vegas, NV

Claiborne Ford is a networking savant with three internships already under his belt. In his most recent role at Circa Resort & Casino, he rotated through different offices, with his latest focus being the gaming department.

What excited you most about this internship? 
Actually being able to contribute with table games. For example, I ran four blackjack tables for a night. Being thrown into the fire and learning my way into it has been the most beneficial part of this internship. 

Describe a moment that made you think, “Hospitality is right for me.”
I came to a casino host meeting, and I didn't know that I was sitting next to Derek Stevens, Circa’s owner. They had me introduce myself and I gave an impromptu, short-and-sweet speech. Everyone came up to me afterward, complimented me and said, “This is the spot for you!” Hearing that from actual professionals really made it feel like this may be right for me. 

I still have employees throughout the casino who pull me aside and say, “Text me if you need anything. I'm here for you.” That kind of support is very encouraging.

How did your experiences in the classroom shape your internship experience? 
The classes that I have with Professors Anthony Lucas and Scott Morrow – learning from them and understanding the casino business as a whole before I stepped in – were really helpful. I understood most of the [gaming] concepts just through the classes that I've been taking. 

What advice would you give to other students seeking an internship? 
Connect and network with as many people as you can! Go to conventions that are based around your field and introduce yourself to industry professionals. You never know who might introduce you to other people. All of a sudden you have a job, you have all these opportunities right where you want to be. 

Gabrielle Bagtas - Master in Hospitality Administration student
Hometown: Las Vegas
Hotel Intern at FontaineBleau | Las Vegas, NV

Genuine human interaction fuels graduate student Gabrielle Bagtas. Such was the case when she spent her summer as an intern at Fontainebleau, one of Las Vegas’ newest luxury properties on the Strip. Not only was she learning the ropes of line-level positions, but she was also gaining insight into managerial roles.

What excited you about your internship? 
Meeting new people every day and forming connections. I've met housekeepers who fix the rooms as if they're fixing rooms for their own children. To me, that's very heartwarming. I love the energy they bring to work every day. The directors are so passionate and, like me, they come from different backgrounds. I was only there for three weeks and some of the directors screamed with joy when they saw me!

What lessons from the classroom were applicable to your internship?
Finance classes have been so valuable to me as a young, upcoming hospitality professional. There’s a lot of stuff that you learn on the job, but when it comes to P&Ls (Profits & Loss), knowing your business, and justifying your expenses, it's useful to gain that knowledge first in the classroom. 

Tell us about a moment during your internship that stood out to you.
When I was working with VIP and Premier Access, we had a high-profile guest come in and ask if they could get more of the muffins that we had brought to a reception. I said, “Absolutely! Let me bring them up to your room. I'm so glad you enjoyed those muffins!” Little things like — getting to see guests as regular people — make hospitality really enjoyable. They may be celebrities, but they’re also just ordinary folks who like muffins. It's all about the human connection and being a part of a guest’s life, even if it is just for a couple of days.

What’s been the biggest takeaway from your internship?
As someone who’s been through two internships, I’ve learned how important it is to soak up as much knowledge as you can! I am so grateful to show up to work every day. I ask as many questions as I can, and I always make sure to make the most out of every workday. 

Joe Snyder - Junior
Hometown: Arvada, Colorado
Banquet Management Intern at The Union League of Philadelphia, Liberty Hill | Lafayette Hill, PA

Joe Snyder hit the ground running as a banquet management intern at The Union League of Philadelphia’s Liberty Hill property. Snyder’s tenacity and leadership qualities earned his supervisors’ trust, allowing him to oversee banquets as a full-fledged manager, while also introducing fresh ideas and setting new standards at America’s No. 1-rated platinum club.

What were your responsibilities at your internship?
I managed the banquet, servers, bartenders, and barbacks – ensuring that events ran smoothly and that we took the extra steps to provide the best possible service and hospitality. I managed everything from a wedding tasting for six to our Independence Day celebration, which had 800 covers. 

What lessons from the classroom did you bring to your internship?
The most important lessons were from Professor Patty Coaley’s leadership class, where I learned to differentiate myself as a leader. Among the important leadership principles she taught:  It’s more important to build rapport as a leader rather than be commanding. 

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned from your internship?
There's always something to learn from any interaction — what to do or what not to do. That's the first thing a manager at The Union League, who has become a great mentor over the last few months, told me on my first day. 

What advice would you give to other students seeking an internship? 
Identify the areas of hospitality you're unsure of, and if you think there's any chance that you might be interested in it, try it.  Most internships only last three months — anyone can do anything for 90 days. I originally thought I was going to be a chef. Then I found out about private clubs. By giving myself the chance to experience private clubs, I discovered my real passion in hospitality. 

Jordyn Cline - Senior
Hometown: Mahwah, New Jersey
PGA Intern at The Creek | Locust Valley, NY

Jordyn Cline was able to pass the baton to future female golfers through her internship in New York. As a senior in the College of Hospitality’s PGA Golf Management (PGM) program, she hopes to inspire young girls to take up the game of golf and make their mark in the sport.

What were your day-to-day duties?
I handled the POS [point of sale] systems, worked in the golf shop, and spent time on the golf range with members. I also taught kids between the ages of 2 and 14, running drills and working on their skills. They are next door to another top-100 course, so I organized junior matches where kids from our club played at theirs, or we met at another local course. It was a lot of fun.

What was a highlight of your internship?
I taught many junior golfers there, but there were only a few girls. As a woman in the sport, I want to see more young girls getting into golf because it can be transformative. There was one girl I saw every day, and I built a great relationship with her. She always said, “I want Jordyn to be my coach today,” even when I was not coaching her. She looks up to me and wants to be around me.

That's why I want to be in the golf industry: to promote the sport to young girls and be a mentor to them, because we need more women in the industry.

What stood out to you about this particular golf club?
The members were the most special part of the internship. I've worked at other courses before, and I could tell that the membership culture was totally different there. They’re all really great, really nice people. They want to play with people who work there, like the interns. It's a welcoming environment to work in.

What do you want to do after you graduate?
I'm planning on going back to the East Coast after I graduate; it’s littered with top-100 courses. I want to get a job teaching full-time at a course in the New York area, especially for juniors and females.