Hospitality and Tourism Student Nadia Acevedo is ‘Putting on the Ritz’
When Nadia Acevedo enrolled in the hospitality and tourism management program within NIU’s College of Business, she was unsure about where it would lead her. She didn’t have much experience talking with professionals in the industry, so the prospect of finding an internship seemed a little intimidating.
“I’m glad that the hospitality program had an internship requirement. It made students reach out to the ‘big, scary’ companies for a job,” said Acevedo, who is beginning her senior year this fall and serving as the new Student Hospitality Association president.
After putting in hard work and time applying, Acevedo was rewarded with a three-month internship with the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, which she completed in August 2023.
“It was a wild ride trying to figure out the ways of the industry when everything was completely new for me,” Acevedo said. “I had to learn the company standards, my responsibilities for each position I was put in and how to build relationships with other employees.”
Our B.S.B.A. degree with an emphasis in hospitality and tourism management prepares students for fast-paced careers in a global industry. They gain specialized skills while completing our essential business courses required of all business majors. With their advanced understanding of the industry’s business environment, they become ready for a management role in settings such as convention centers, casinos and cruise lines.
“The hospitality internship serves as a vital bridge between theoretical learning and practical application,” said Lan Li, an instructor with the program. “Hospitality businesses deal with various scenarios, from managing guest complaints to handling high-demand periods. These challenges ask students to step outside their comfort zones and collaborate within teams to solve problems and deliver exceptional services. Experiencing these situations during an internship helps students develop adaptability, resilience and the ability to think on their feet — all of these can significantly contribute to students’ overall business education and prepare them for successful careers in various sectors of the business world.”
The mission of the hospitality and tourism management program is to engage students in developing the foundational knowledge, demonstrated skills, and professional attitudes required for contemporary and future practice or advanced study in the fields of hospitality and tourism.
“For the students who don’t think hospitality is in their field of vision, there are tons of departments where you can get a job ranging from security and restaurant management to sales and accounting, and more. There are jobs for business students everywhere,” she said.
Acevedo noted that she could not have been successful in her internship without the support of her “lovely” hospitality and tourism faculty and staff who cheered her on as she kept up with her studies and experiential learning.
If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more about the diverse career prospects within the dynamic field of hospitality and tourism management, mark your calendar for our NIU Student Hospitality Association’s “Hospitality Day — Meet the Firm” event 10 a.m. to
2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at Barsema Hall. This event is catered to internship and full-time job opportunities in the hospitality and travel industry, and all majors are welcome.
