DSH International Internships/Work Experience

DSH International Internships/Work Experience

by Robert A. Brymer

The Dedman School of Hospitality (DSH) has organized internships at several five-star hotels and golf clubs in Scotland which are open to all DSH majors. Students with previous hospitality work experience receive preference in placement, and final selection is based on personal interviews with the companies or their designated affiliates. Please contact Ms. Pam Monnier, DSH Director of Industry Relations, for more information.

Students seeking international internships or work experience at locations other than those already formally established by DSH, please consider the following recommendations in your planning. DSH will not be able to assist with these individual internships except on a very limited basis, students must organize these other opportunities personally. The steps below should give you the basic information to start.

1. Select a country and city you would like to work in. Typically, larger cities offer more selection. Be sure to verify special visa, work permit, passport, and other requirements with the FSU International Programs Office. It is important to select a city/country that can accommodate student interns from the USA before taking the next step. Pick a city/country where you can speak the language fluently, this will be mandatory.

·  http://online.goinglobal.com/default.aspx Check the Global Pathways main page for useful information on working and traveling in other countries and cultures.

2. Identify a 6-month time period that you would like to work, as most companies require a minimum of 6-months and many prefer 1-year for international students. To increase the likelihood of being hired, select a time period that coincides with the "high" season for the operation, when they have more demand and need more employees. This high season will vary depending on the location, weather, type of property, etc. Trying to find a position during a low or moderate season is extremely difficult, as they are usually reducing staff numbers - not increasing.

3. Once you have the city and time period, locate properties in the city that are either based in the USA or have affiliates in the USA. For example, Four Seasons (based in Toronto), Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, Marriott, Intercontinental, etc. Select a minimum of 3 properties with well established and recognized companies to contact.

4. Next, identify the name of the General Manager and Director of Human Resources, be sure to confirm the correct spelling, title, e-mail address, and phone number for each. Ideally, it would be good to have the same information on another senior leader with the hotel depending on your interest area. For example, if you're oriented towards food & beverage, identify the Director of F&B (name and contact information).

5. Do research on the individual properties and leaders from each. Prepare to contact each hotel at least 6 months in advance of your projected start date, preferably longer.

6. Check your personal information on FaceBook, My Space, and other sites for appropriate content - as they will also do their research on you.

7. Send a cover letter with a copy of your resume (via e-mail) to the General Manager, "CC" the Director of HR and the other senior leader. The letter should be brief, specific, and professional.

Sample Cover

333 Shannon Lakes Road

Tallahassee, FL 32306

October 1, 2020

Ms. Futureboss

General Manager

World Class Hotel

555 McQuarry Road

Auckland, NZ PK5-03D

Dear Ms. Futureboss,

As a student in the Dedman School of Hospitality at Florida State University, I am seeking a high quality international internship with your outstanding hotel from approximately January 15 - August 1, 2021. In addition to my college education, I have excellent practical work experience in hotel operations, please see my resume attached. My preference is food & beverage service but I am flexible and willing to assist where needed.

While I would prefer to personally interview at your hotel to demonstrate my enthusiasm and work ethic, given the distance, may I suggest that I interview at the “World Class Hotel” located in Atlanta on my own expense. If this is acceptable to you, I'll be glad to organize the arrangements with your counterpart at this property.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration, I will call your office via phone in the next few days to discuss our options.

Very sincerely,

Suzy Intern2be

8. Plan your phone contact to the hotels you have written, wait no more than 2-3 days after sending the email to call. Verify the time difference and plan your calls to arrive at their location around 8:30-9:00 a.m., or 4:00-5:00 p.m. Call the GM, Director of HR, and other senior leader (in that order). Identify that you are Suzy Intern2be with Florida State University, speak slowly, clearly, and understand that they may find it difficult to comprehend you at first. Explain that you're following-up on an e-mail message, be enthusiastic, positive, respectful, and explain your interests. If you do not reach each individual, leave a short and considerate voice mail message. Wait 2 days, if they do not call back, repeat your call to them. Be persistent, pleasant, and demonstrate your willingness follow-up. They will react very positively to this. Do not be offended and do not take it personally when they do not call you back, they are very busy and have full plates.

9. Once you have their initial agreement, explain that you'll contact the nearby hotel in Atlanta (or other location they would recommend). Ask them if they would be willing to send a message to the nearby hotel to verify your interest in interviewing with them, so when you reach-out, the nearby hotel will be expecting your contact.

10. Should you confirm and finalize all the arrangements for an international internship or work experience, please contact the DSH internship coordinator, so he/she can note the appropriate documents important to the hotel and provide you with FSU information.