Wendy Addington
Interim Internship Director
School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
Close-Hipp 619
1705 College St.
Columbia, SC 29208
During your time with us, you will complete an internship in the hospitality and tourism industry. We will prepare you academically to be successful and will count on you to take the necessary steps to ensure your own success as well.
Suggestions for your success:
- Get to know the professors in the School of HTMT. They are here to help, and you should know them all.
- Get to know your fellow students. These are the people you will be working with throughout your career.
- Get engaged in your education by participating in department activities, the community, guest speaker series, volunteer opportunities, career fairs (even if you are a freshman!), and student organizations within the School of HTMT.
Internship and Practicums Overview
A key component of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTMT) program is the completion of a professional internship. This hands-on experience is one of the program’s greatest strengths and is highly valued by industry professionals.
The internship must take place in a hospitality or tourism-related business that aligns with the student’s area of emphasis or career goals. Acceptable locations include, but are not limited to, resorts, country clubs, restaurants, hotels, contract foodservice companies, event planning companies, vineyards, convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs), and attractions. It is important that students select an internship site that closely relates to their career interests.
HTMT 495 – Internship
The internship is typically completed the summer prior to graduation or after all other course requirements have been met. It should reflect the student’s intended career path. For example, a student interested in Club Management should complete their internship within a club setting.
To be approved, the internship must involve a supervisory or managerial role, be a formalized internship, or be a rotational position (rotating through at least three different roles). This experience is designed to serve as a transition into the workforce and may lead to a full-time supervisory position in the hospitality and tourism industry.
Internship requirements include:
- 400 hours of work experience in a managerial, formalized internship, or rotational position within the hospitality or tourism industry
- Completion of assignments throughout the semester
- Mid-term and final assessments completed by both the employer and the student
Choosing Your Internship
Your internship should be selected based on its value as a learning experience. Students are expected to choose opportunities that support their long-term career goals, rather than selecting positions based solely on convenience, location, or pay. While these factors may be important, it is critical to prioritize experiences that provide meaningful learning and career advancement opportunities.
Your internship may be the most important learning experience of your college career — choose wisely. Think about the career you want in hospitality and tourism and seek out organizations that will help you enter that field successfully.
Student Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 400 hours in an approved hospitality or tourism business environment. An orientation session is held each semester to prepare students for their internship experience. Students are also required to complete written and online assignments through the USC Blackboard system.
In addition, students will be evaluated by a supervisor at their internship site. It is recommended that students meet with their supervisor to review their evaluation and receive feedback.
Benefits to Students
Internships provide more than just practical work experience — they are essential career-building opportunities. Recruiters consistently emphasize the importance of internship experience and often use it as a key factor in hiring decisions.
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