Skillfully straightening pillows without messing up the bed. Rearranging and cleaning the room to look perfect every time the guests leave. Organizing the numerous piles and assortments of snacks. Junior Serina Stetar is one of a select group of students who learn these skills and more through the Hospitality program.

“Hospitality really opened my eyes to working on a professional level,” Stetar said. “We learned how to inspect each hotel room so it looks like nobody has ever been there. I feel really confident in the business now.”

The recently implemented program encompasses two periods with students serving an internship at a functioning business.

“The students get internship hours, networking, references and they’re able to build resumes,” family and consumer sciences teacher Jodi Garner said. “They get to learn how to have a job before they actually get a job.”

The internships are at local hotels and restaurants with students attending twice a week. On Mondays the class stays on campus or takes field trips and tours to different locations to learn the ins and outs of the industry.

“It prepares me for jobs I’m going to have,” junior Alyssa Hernandez said. “[The program] lets me know exactly what I’m getting myself into.”

After completing the prerequisite course Travel and Tourism Management, students can enroll in Hospitality Services, effectively receiving ACC credit as well as fulfilling two class periods. There are a limited number of internships available so the class size is smaller than average.

“I enjoy that it’s small,” Hernandez said. “We get to know everyone. It’s like a little family.”

The real-world experience has been invaluable to the students.

“I thought Hospitality was really cool this year because it was hands on and not just textbooks,” Stetar said. “We got more comfortable with the working environment.”