After welcoming a record-breaking 55.1 million visitors in 2011, Orlando has officially become the most visited city in the United States, and is arguably the hospitality and tourism capital of the world. And on Friday, Sept. 28, students of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida will have the opportunity to participate in the 2012 Hospitality Job Shadow Day, where they will learn and gain invaluable insight from many of the world-renowned resorts, attractions and restaurants that make Orlando the world’s premier tourist destination.
Created in partnership with the local convention and visitors bureau, Visit Orlando, the eighth annual Hospitality Job Shadow Day is an on-the-job learning experience that exposes hospitality students to the variety of careers offered within Orlando’s industry-leading hospitality and tourism community.
“This is an amazing opportunity for our students to be mentored by many of the top leaders in the hospitality industry and get an up close and personal look at their future careers,” said Veena Garib, the College’s assistant director of employer relations. “For some students, this event will be an eye-opening experience, and for others, it will be the perfect opportunity to network with employers. But overall, it’s a chance for our students to learn from the hospitality industry’s most successful companies.”
Garib anticipates that more than 30 companies will participate in this year’s event, including Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, Sea World, Rosen Hotels, and J.W. Marriott.
The UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management will match their students with an employer based on their individual career interests. Students can choose from theme park/attraction management; golf/club management; restaurant management, tourism management, event management, lodging operations and resort time sharing.
“Hospitality and tourism is Orlando’s largest industry, employing nearly 360,000 people directly and indirectly with wages exceeding $13.4 billion a year,” said Kristin Rothbauer, Visit Orlando’s community relations manager. “And this invaluable job shadowing opportunity allows future hospitality leaders to explore all the exciting careers within this important industry.”
The 2012 Hospitality Job Shadow Day is only open to current students of UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Students must register online before August 31 at surveymonkey.com/s/RosenJobShadow2012.