There is not really a “typical” hospitality internship, but rather a multitude of departments in a wide variety of hospitality establishments that will allow you to complete the internship of your dreams and lead you to professional success.
Why hospitality?
The first question you must ask yourself is, “Why did I decide to pursue a profession in hospitality?”
Some people choose this area of activity because they like customer service and interpersonal relations, others enjoy multiculturality and the international scope of a hotel, while others seek team management, the work environment, and still others want to start their own business, and others, well… Phew, we’ll stop there, because each of you has a good reason for choosing the most wonderful job in the world!
Tell me what you want to do and then and I’ll tell you what job, what company, and what skills you need!
What skills do I need to develop?
An internship in several different departments or a rotating internship is an ideal solution to develop the most skills!
Above all, you must never forget that in order to manage, you must be familiar with and have done the work of others. The most direct path to achieving your goals is not always a straight line if there are several obstacles before you; bypassing these obstacles allows you to go further in your learning and to open your horizons!
Switching from one department to another or from one establishment to another allows you to compare and refine your plan as and when you experience it. Do not deny yourself the chance to be a student again in order to discover a multitude of departments and companies and to accumulate experience. Once you graduate, you’ll know exactly what you want (and don’t want) and will have the skills to take the first step toward your career goal.
You will not develop the same skills in reception and housekeeping, or in a restaurant and guest relations, or between marketing and finance. I’m not teaching you anything new; you obviously guessed this! For example, in reception you will develop your customer service skills, in housekeeping your attention to detail, and in guest relations your sense of client relations.
Consult our job descriptions to find out more about these positions!
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How do I choose a type of establishment to develop the skills I need?
The answer is simple: there are as many career paths and student profiles as there are types of companies. Even in the same department or same position, the work will be done in a different way depending on whether it is a luxury or four-star establishment, so it is interesting to combine different experiences if possible.
A position at a luxury establishment will allow you to develop a working method, rigor, precision, and finesse in the provision of services. The repetition of actions will allow you to achieve excellence and you will become an expert in your role. All professionals will tell you this: excellence can only be achieved if the gesture becomes completely natural and intuitive. Working in a luxury establishment will be essential if you wish to progress within this realm to other leadership positions. Organisation and respect for procedures will allow you to advance in the world of luxury, whether in operational or more administrative or support positions.
A position at a four- or five-star establishment will allow you to have versatility, an overview of the establishment’s organisation, and an approach to customer relations. You always remain in a very high-end department, your client is your “guest”, and you are well-acquainted with his habits and his expectations, but the relationship with the client is warmer.
If you want to work in a human-scale establishment or if you plan to open your own establishment, an independent establishment or a small boutique hotel will be more suited to your plan. Your organisation and your multiple skills will allow you to adapt to all situations and to progress in many areas.
Create your career plan
Therefore, it is essential to first and foremost clearly define your career plan and your long-term goals. From this goal, you can build a step-by-step plan and find the positions and companies that will give you the experience and skills you need to reach the next step and, ultimately, the job of your dreams!
Many students choose their internships out of opportunity and not because it is their passion, but ultimately, almost one in two young people quit their first job within the first year. I’m not going to give you the turnover rates for our profession; sadly, they are well-known and we already have enough due to COVID!
Your first internship will be the start and the anchor point of your professional life and your career plan will be your common thread. With its customised service, TALENT DEVELOPER is there to help you throughout your learning to support you in reaching your goals.
Regardless of the type of establishment, our values remain the same: passion, sharing, excellence, a sense of service, respect for others, communication, etc. but your priorities remain specific to your own objectives. Obviously, we are all different! This is why there is not just one type of company or one single internship suitable for everyone; there are lots of different companies out there, and, of course, the company that suits you best.