Programs of Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Travel and Tourism and Meeting and Event Planning

THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The internship program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to relate current theory from the college classroom to practical experience under the direction of professionals in extended work assignments.

An 'intern' is an advanced or upper division student gaining supervised practical experience in a field of endeavor he/she intends to pursue a career in, or learn more about.  From an academic perspective, an intern is viewed as a student in an environment offering opportunities to see the similarities and differences in the classroom learning and practical application.  He/she receives academic credit and a grade based on the completion of the required hours, on-site internship performance, and assignments completed.

Although many students choose to perform internships during the summer months, you may intern any semester you choose. A few students complete their final intern requirements after they have completed all their other course work. They find a permanent position with a firm that meets all program criteria. Following completion of the required employment hours and all reports, the intern coordinator and the employer jointly arrive at a grade, as in any internship. But instead of returning to campus, these students continue as permanent employees, and in time will receive their diplomas.

 

THE STUDENT'S OBLIGATION

To satisfy degree requirements, each student in the department pursuing an AAS degree or Certificate in Meeting and Event Planning must secure employment from a firm in the hospitality industry which has been approved by one of the intern coordinators. Each student is required to complete a resume, letter of application, and make appropriate personal, telephone, or mail contacts which lead to interviews and ultimately to employment. After completion of the internship period and submission of required reports, a grade (A to F) will be awarded through the joint efforts of the internship coordinator and the employer.

Note to Student:  An internship is meant to be more than a work experience. This should not be "another summer or part-time job." By the end of the internship, you should be competent in all job tasks that have been assigned. In addition, you should have developed an understanding about your employer, your employer's place in the immediate market served, and how your employer is faring in the industry.

Review the assignments required for your internship before you sign your agreement. If there are any questions or conflicts, resolve them before you begin your internship. You are expected to adhere to the intern report schedule and failure to do so will have a negative effect on your final grade for the internship. Any variance in the prescribed outline must be in writing and signed by the intern coordinator.

As a student intern, you are a representative of Austin Community College and the program you represent. Your conduct and behavior should be professional at all times to personify the appropriate student/college relationship. In the event you involve yourself in practices unsuitable for an ACC student, the college will take the necessary disciplinary action.

 


 

GRADING

There will be a letter grade (A through F) assigned at the completion of this course. F’s will be given for unsatisfactory performance including any of the following:
 

1. Reports not submitted on a timely basis
 

NOTE: DO NOT HOLD ALL OF YOUR REPORTS UNTIL THE END OF THE SEMESTER. THIS WILL RESULT IN REDUCING YOUR FINAL GRADE

2. Poor evaluations from your employer supervisor

3. Poor communication with the intern coordinator
 

In the event it is impossible for you to complete your internship requirements during the academic semester, an "IP" will be given. The usual reason for an incomplete grade is the inability to work the required number of hours before the date for submission of semester grades.

 

 

 

I. COURSE IDENTIFICATION

A. Course Numbers and Titles:

HAMG 2389-Internship  (Hospitality AAS Majors)

B. On-the-job training at hospitality industry sites with emphasis (wherever possible) on management level experience.
 

II. POLICY STATEMENT

A. To complete the internship program a student must work a minimum of  250 clock hours for approved hospitality industry firms. The internship experience earns three semester credit hours. Any deviation from this requirement must be approved by your INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR (instructor).

B. The student is responsible for identifying a place of employment and securing the internship position. Although the intern coordinator may make suggestions, students are encouraged to find internship positions on their own. Your internship coordinator will supply advice and guidance, but cannot be expected to act as an employment agency.

C. Before a student is allowed to enroll in the internship, all of the following requirements must be met. He or she must:
  (1) Be enrolled and a declared major in the Department of Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Travel & Tourism and Meeting and Event Planning at Austin Community College.

(2) Have completed at least 30 credits or ½ of their program load.

(3) Have a grade point average of 2.5 or above.  

D. By the end of the second week of the semester:

(1)Turn in an up to date resume and sample cover letter (introducing yourself to a prospective employer) to the internship coordinator.

(2)Turn in the internship agreement form and internship student data attached to this document to the internship coordinator.

(2) Obtain the approval of your internship coordinator before any job commitment is made.
 

NOTE: FAILURE TO FULFILL THESE STEPS CAN RESULT IN REDUCING YOUR FINAL GRADE.
 
 

E. A student must be enrolled in the internship course within their program, before undertaking the work experience or have signed permission from the intern coordinator.

F. Students will pay the regular tuition fee for the internship course and will be responsible for their room, board, and travel expenses if the internship is outside Travis County

G. If a student is unable to complete the assignments before the end of the semester, a grade of Incomplete or In Progress will be assigned. When the assignments are completed and graded, the Incomplete or In Progress will be changed to an appropriate letter grade, (AT THE END OF THE NEXT GRADING PERIOD).

H. If a student is unable to complete the internship because of justifiable circumstances, the college rules concerning withdrawals will apply.

I. The internship coordinator or a representative can personally visit or contact the student’s employer and/or the supervisor by telephone during the internship.

J. Grades will be determined by the intern coordinator and the student's immediate supervisor. There will be a letter grade (A through F) assigned after all required reports have been received by the internship coordinator. In the event an "F" is given, the student must begin a new internship, including enrollment and payment for the appropriate number of credit hours.

K. HAMG 2389-Internship Assessment Guidelines

 

Course Description: A work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills and concepts. A learning plan is developed by the college and the employer. This may be a paid or unpaid experience. This course may be repeated if topics and learning outcomes vary.

 

Purpose of Assessment:  The purpose of choosing this course as a course to assess mastery of skills is to assure our graduates are able to demonstrate competency in the the field they are graduating from ; Hospitality Management, Travel and Tourism or Meeting and Event Planning.  This course is the capstone course for all programs.  The compentency that must be demonstrated by the student will include any subject matter gathered from the courses they have taken in their programs.

 

Assessment Outcome: Demonstrate mastery of knowledge in the fields they are graduating from

 

Assessment Compentency:  Demonstrate mastery of knowledge by taking a written exam and an oral exam based on their internship packet

 

Measurement Instrument and Success Criteria:  85% will score 85% or higher on the written exam and the oral exam

 

Assessment Instrument

 

Students will register for the course HAMG 2389-Internship.  The internship program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to relate current theory from the college classroom to practical experience under the direction of professionals in extended work assignments.

 

 Upon approval of their assigned internship they will complete the internship packet .  The packet includes;

 

(1)A copy of the student's resume.

(2)Internship Agreement Form (part 1 and part 2)

(3)An intern data sheet (Report 1).

(4) Personal objectives, job description, and an analysis of the firm's organizational structure (Report 2).

(5) Two reports describing on-the-job problems encountered and their resolutions (Reports 3 & 4).

(6) A situation analysis covering the student's place of employment during the internship (Report 5).

(7) A personal evaluation of the internship (Report 6).

(8) Intern time sheets signed by the supervisor.

(9) In certain instances, additional reports may be required or changes may be made in the requirements. These agreements must be in writing between the student and the intern coordinator.

(10) Midterm and final supervisor’s evaluations.

 

 

Upon receiving Reports 3, 4, 5 and 6 to the Internship Coordinator to student will meet with the Internship Coordinator to review the documents.  After this meeting, a committee of three faculty members including the Internship Coordinator, a faculty member in the student’s major and one outside the student’s major will review these reports and each create two questions to ask the student regarding these reports.  On the Monday the 15th week of the semester the student will be brought in and given the six questions.  The students will be able to choose three questions to answer in a written exam.  This exam will be given on the Thursday of the 15th week of the semester and the student will have 3 hours to complete the exam.  During the 16th week of the exam, the student will come and present themselves to the committee and be given an oral exam at which time the remaining three questions may or may not be asked.  Any topic from their major could be asked during this exam.  This exam will last for 2 ½ hours. 

 

E-mailed or faxed reports will not be accepted.  Each of these reports must be mailed or delivered to the internship coordinator

Amy Dodenhoff

Austin Community College

3401 Webberville Road

Austin, Texas 78702

adodenho@austincc.edu

Late reports will be penalized. If reports are repeatedly late, a fail grade (F) can be awarded. Postmark dates will be used to determine promptness.

If a circumstance arises which causes you to be late with a report (illness, emergencies, etc.), it is your responsibility to notify the coordinator as soon as possible.
 

Note: Interns are reminded that they are representatives of Austin Community College and our department and it is imperative that good work habits, a cooperative attitude, and a good work record be maintained for good rapport between the intern, the college, and the employer.


III. PROCEDURE

A. Obtain approval and the from your internship coordinator for enrollment in the course.

B. Enroll in approved course.  If you are not sure which internship is appropriate, see your department chairperson for assistance.

C. Read the syllabus, complete and return the appropriate assignments to the internship coordinator.

D. The assignments will be reviewed and you will be notified if you have to do additional work in order to continue with the internship process.

E. Make contacts with prospective employers.

F. Secure approval of prospective employer from the intern coordinator.

G. Submit all reports  before completing employment.

  FORMS- Click to access the forms for your intern reports. You will need to make copies of some of these report forms to use for your assignments. Keep copies of all reports you turn in. Your reports will not be returned. All forms must be typed.  TIME SHEETS MAY BE HAND WRITTEN IN INK PEN. 

Form 1

Internship Data Sheet

Form 4

Second Problems and Solutions Report

Supervisor's Mid-Term Evaluation

Form 2

Personal Objectives, Job Description & Responsibilities

Form 5

Situation Analysis

Supervisor's Final Evaluation - check to see that this says final report on it.

Form 3

First Problems and Solutions Report

Form 6

Personal Evaluation of Internship

Weekly Time Sheet

Form 7

Management Schedule of Activities Sheet

 

Internship Agreement Forms

 


 

INTERN REPORT SCHEDULE

BY THIRD WEEK OF THE SEMESTER:

Resume, Cover Letter, and Intern Data Sheet(Report 1)

AFTER YOUR INTERNSHIP BEGINS, THE FOLLOWING REPORTS ARE DUE AFTER THE SPECIFIED NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED:

40 hours - Personal Objective, Job Description, and Organizational Chart.  Include time sheets to this date (Report 2).

80 hours - Mid-Term Evaluation and First Problem and Solution Report, and Intern Time Sheet up to this date (Report 3).

120 hours - Second Problem and Solution Report, and Intern Time Sheet up to this date (Report 4).

160 hours - Situation Analysis Report and Intern Time Sheet up to this date (Report 5).

200 hours - Personal Evaluation of the Internship and Intern Time Sheet up to this date (Report 6).

Final Evaluation and Intern Time Sheet up to this date