If internships are indeed the path to a successful career, U of M students Adam Holthouse and Anthony Fenech had two tickets to paradise this summer.

As the U of M expands its internship opportunities — starting this fall all eligible freshmen are guaranteed an internship position by their senior year — Holthouse and Fenech learned the hospitality and resort management trade at one of the premier vacation spots in the world: the Orange Lake Resort in Orlando, Fla.

“The best thing about this internship was that I learned things that no classroom can teach you,” said Holthouse. “The things Anthony and I have experienced here will carry on to future jobs in the hospitality industry and will allow us to become leaders of the industry one day.”

Added Fenech, a sophomore, “I got such a diverse and well-rounded experience here that I feel like I am ahead of the game in terms of my own personal career development. The best thing about this internship is that it began to narrow down what I want to do after college.”

Adam Holthouse (left) and Anthony Fenech

The two are students in the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management in the Fogelman College of Business & Economics.

The U of M’s Internship Guarantee Program begins this fall with incoming freshmen who will be able to get quality work experience in their chosen fields in “real world” settings.

“An internship enhances the educational experience of a student,” said U of M Provost Dr. Ralph Faudree. “It is a valuable aid for a student to make the connection between their academic studies and the work place. Studies indicate that students take their academic program more seriously after having an internship experience.

“For many students, their first position is a direct result of their internship with the employer,” Faudree continued. “Employers from both the public and private sector indicate that an internship is one of the key elements they look for on a resume.”

Students must be in good academic standing and must be making satisfactory progress toward a degree. The U of M is recommending the internships be done during the student’s junior or senior year. The work experience may be paid or unpaid, and can be credit or non-credit.

Students may initiate the process through either their academic department or the Career Services office.

“The students at the U of M are very fortunate to be at a metropolitan research university, since this opens the door to a wide range of internship experiences,” said Faudree.

“This internship has been a blessing not only for my career, but for my personal life as well,” said Holthouse. “I met amazing people that I will keep in touch with for the rest of my life.”

— by Greg Russell