Researchers in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism have found that hospitality businesses can improve the perceived value for their interns by including meaningful coworker experiences. Penn State School of Hospitality Management.
The research team found that exposure to role-models, supervisor support and skill diversity are also important drivers of impactful and valuable internships.
Lead by Associate Professor Michael TewsThe team of researchers published its findings on the International Hospitality Review.
The hospitality industry is a long-term career that requires a commitment to the future. Internships provide students with a valuable learning experience.
, Tews said. When determining what makes a valuable internship, it is possible to identify the factors that support successful transitions from an internship into the workplace.
The research team interviewed 253 students who had completed two five-month internships. Students answered questions regarding fun activities during the internship. They also included coworker socializing and a manager’s support for having fun.
The findings showed that skill variety—the opportunity to use multiple, complex, or high-level skills—is significantly related to how valuable students perceive their internships to be
, Tews said. Task variety, or the ability to perform a wide range of tasks, did not appear to be a significant predictor.
Tews stated that this means internships should be challenging and developmental.
Tews says that the skill variety in internships, especially operational internships shows students their professional growth, which increases their commitment to working in hospitality.
Support from supervisors and role models were also important in defining a meaningful and motivational internship experience
, Tews said. The supervisors’ support and care for interns can help them feel more valued, confident, and increase their perceived value of the internship.
Tews said role models—whether senior leaders or mid-level professionals—give interns someone to learn from and envision themselves becoming, which helps young workers develop a stronger connection to their work and see a clear career path in the industry.
Recent graduates can find it difficult to make the transition from school into work, particularly in industries such as hospitality, which require high levels of social interactivity, resilience and adaptability.
, Tews said.
Tews says recent news articles about students feeling overwhelmed at their first job highlight the need for quality internships that combine academic learning with practical experience.
According to Tews, hospitality companies can use this information to redesign their internships in order to better engage, attract and retain young talent.
Tews said hospitality businesses should provide challenging assignments that allow interns to apply and expand their skills and ensure supervisors are trained to support and mentor interns—not just manage them. Tews says that companies should connect interns with mentors, through programs such as mentoring, leadership talks, and shadowing.
Workplace culture—especially peer relationships, meaningful work, and strong mentorship—matters more than superficial efforts to inject fun
, Tews said. Internships designed with these insights will leave interns with an overall positive impression of hospitality and make them more likely to pursue a career in the field.
Sydney PonsAnkie Höfnagels of Penn State and Fanny Beaumont-Perez of Zuyd University of Applied Sciences were involved in this research.
About Penn State School of Hospitality Management
Established in 1937 Penn State’s School of Hospitality Management It is one of the oldest and most respected universities in the country. The top-ranked undergraduate and PhD programs at Penn State prepare global leaders through a diverse, rigorous curriculum that has been centered on engaged scholarship since its conception. These programs also feature partnerships with Penn State’s Hospitality Services and Housing and Food Services as well as top global hospitality brands. The Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society, the oldest Penn State Alumni program group is also located here.
Ben Jellison
Director of Industry and Alumni Relations
814-865-6728
Penn State School of Hospitality Management
