We are the career services resource center for The School of Hospitality Business.
The Student and Industry Resource Center (SIRC) in The School of Hospitality Business serves as the liaison between employers and hospitality business students. We engage with employers across the entire hospitality industry. We coordinate CAREER EXPO and provide career advising to students. Students in The School also complete their two required internships under SIRC’s guidance and supervision. For all hospitality industry jobs and internships, start at SIRC!
Internship Guidelines
A core part of the Hospitality Business degree requirements is the internship component. Students are required to complete two internships: a Level 1 internship and a Level 2 internship. They must be in the hospitality industry. Both internships require working a minimum of 400 hours during a 10-week period with one company. Internships can be completed full time during the summer or part time during the school year. If a student works part time, there is no time limit for completing 400 hours.
Internships must be documented and approved prior to beginning by using the SIRC web application and approval process. At the end of the internship, both student and employer must also complete evaluations through the SIRC web evaluation process. All three forms – approved application and both evaluations – must be completed by the end of the internship, or the internship will not be counted as complete. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure the employer completes the final evaluation and submits it to SIRC.
Professional Development
SIRC will help you with your:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Offer negotiations
- Professional dress
- Interviewing skills
CAREER EXPO
CAREER EXPO is The School’s longstanding annual hospitality industry career event. Each year, students in The School select the “Industry Partner of the Year,” and an executive from that company presents a keynote address — a highlight of CAREER EXPO. The career fair takes place in the evening, when 70+ of the nation’s leading hospitality companies recruit 300+ talented students for internships and permanent positions and sign them up for interviews, which are held the following day.
Intern Experiences
Enjoy some highlights from our interns’ experiences working in the industry.
Gabriella Jensen
Hilton of Chicago
“My favorite experience was completing projects that made a meaningful impact to the sales operations at the hotel! It was so cool to see my contributions help the sales process and bring in more revenue.”
“My favorite experience was completing projects that made a meaningful impact to the sales operations at the hotel! It was so cool to see my contributions help the sales process and bring in more revenue.”
Gabriella Mirenda
Rafanelli Events
“Although I have learned many things with this internship, one that stands out is composing myself. Event planning is a stressful job and things can go wrong, which is why we have back-up plans in place. If something isn’t going quite the way you expected it to, do not show it on your face and worry the client. Be poised and professional; cool, calm and collected. Only then will your brain start working on a solution to the problem.”
“Although I have learned many things with this internship, one that stands out is composing myself. Event planning is a stressful job and things can go wrong, which is why we have back-up plans in place. If something isn’t going quite the way you expected it to, do not show it on your face and worry the client. Be poised and professional; cool, calm and collected. Only then will your brain start working on a solution to the problem.”
Tyler Dahms
Palmer House
“The Palmer House was a hotel that I first grew attached to as a young boy, staring up at the lobby ceiling for the first time in dumbstruck awe. Being able to work for Hilton at this historic hotel was incredible because not only can I now count myself among a part of its 153+ year almost-nonstop operation, but I also learned from every department in the hotel.”
“The Palmer House was a hotel that I first grew attached to as a young boy, staring up at the lobby ceiling for the first time in dumbstruck awe. Being able to work for Hilton at this historic hotel was incredible because not only can I now count myself among a part of its 153+ year almost-nonstop operation, but I also learned from every department in the hotel.”
Linsey Nichols
The Walt Disney Company
“I learned about working with individuals with different personalities and to be yourself. Working for a luxury wedding line like Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings, I thought every single person would be all business, no time for fun. That was not the case at all. I learned that behind every company are people just like you and me. People who love to talk about their pets, kids, what their holiday traditions are and so much more. I’ve learned that by slowing down, paying attention to small details and not just doing the assignments that are given to you, but by being yourself and going the extra mile, you’ll make much more of a positive impact on your company and clients.”
“I learned about working with individuals with different personalities and to be yourself. Working for a luxury wedding line like Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings, I thought every single person would be all business, no time for fun. That was not the case at all. I learned that behind every company are people just like you and me. People who love to talk about their pets, kids, what their holiday traditions are and so much more. I’ve learned that by slowing down, paying attention to small details and not just doing the assignments that are given to you, but by being yourself and going the extra mile, you’ll make much more of a positive impact on your company and clients.”
Olivia Cannella
Hilton of Chicago
“This summer I have been blessed with the opportunity to work directly with clients and help earn business through tours and personalized experiences. My favorite part was giving clients a tour of our hotel and working with them to host their event at our property!”
“This summer I have been blessed with the opportunity to work directly with clients and help earn business through tours and personalized experiences. My favorite part was giving clients a tour of our hotel and working with them to host their event at our property!”
Faith Chen
Restaurant Finance and Development Conference
"I now understand what it is like being behind the scenes when trying to bring a restaurant concept to life. My favorite part of the internship was revamping a concept that failed in the late 1800s but just so happens to fit perfectly when trying to create a safe and innovative dining experience."
"I now understand what it is like being behind the scenes when trying to bring a restaurant concept to life. My favorite part of the internship was revamping a concept that failed in the late 1800s but just so happens to fit perfectly when trying to create a safe and innovative dining experience."
Alice Kim
Graduate Hotel
"I had an opportunity to go through all the departments of the Graduate Hotel including Housekeeping, Front Desk, F&B and Sales. The experiences I collected from each department helped me to understand the importance of communication and how it leads to a successful hotel operation."
"I had an opportunity to go through all the departments of the Graduate Hotel including Housekeeping, Front Desk, F&B and Sales. The experiences I collected from each department helped me to understand the importance of communication and how it leads to a successful hotel operation."
Joshua May
The Country Club
"This summer the Country Club hosted the 122nd U.S. Open championship. My favorite part of my internship there was bartending on the 18th green for the week of the Open. Working on the 18th green as the golfers came down the stretch was one of the most unique experiences. From the roars of the crowd as Matt Fitzpatrick finished on the 18th, the sounds were deafening and there was an energy that was indescribable."
"This summer the Country Club hosted the 122nd U.S. Open championship. My favorite part of my internship there was bartending on the 18th green for the week of the Open. Working on the 18th green as the golfers came down the stretch was one of the most unique experiences. From the roars of the crowd as Matt Fitzpatrick finished on the 18th, the sounds were deafening and there was an energy that was indescribable."
Spartan Sponsors Mentor Program
The Spartan Sponsors Mentor Program pairs students and alumni with similar career interests with each other, both on campus at the annual Homecoming Spartan Sponsors Mentor Program meeting and throughout the year with phone calls and email. The connections made are a win-win, broadening the student’s perspectives and allowing practicing professionals to share insights and “give back” in a way that can help a young person start down a path to success.
Contact Information
- Student & Industry Resource Center (SIRC)
- Eppley Center
- 667 N Shaw Lane, Room 416
- East Lansing, MI 48824
- Mondays-Thursdays: 9:00am-4:00pm
- Fridays: 1:00pm-4:00pm
- shbsirc@msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 353-9747
