How should tourism students complete their internships properly and effectively?

Tourism interns need to perform at a moderate level - Image created using AI.

Following Tuoi Tre Online's article "Students complain about internships being too demanding to eat," many readers suggested that internships should be just long enough and that there should be commensurate pay and benefits, while others argued that high-intensity internships are necessary to acclimatize to work pressure.

Should interns only observe and do light work?

Reader Le Dinh Tuan argues that the term "internship" itself refers to apprenticeship through observation. If an intern spends two months solely cleaning rooms, without gaining any knowledge of other aspects of the restaurant or hotel chain, then the business owner is exploiting free labor.

"Business owners should rotate students' duties five days a week: housekeeping, followed by the next week in the lobby, reception, landscaping, baggage handling, bar, kitchen, design, events, etc. This way, after a two-month internship, students will have a general understanding of the industry and a positive impression of a professional, well-organized, and transparent business!" commented Mr. Tuan.

Reader Kim Thanh commented: "If you're doing an internship, you should only focus on 'observing and experiencing' to get an idea of ​​what the knowledge you'll gain in the coming years will be like. You should look at the number of credits to determine an appropriate amount of time."

However, reader Pham Thiet Hung commented: "I disagree with the students' complaints about working hours and working days during their internship."

If we can clearly define the purpose and outcome of our internship, and later our practical training, we will be more willing to work because the practical experiences gained during the internship will prevent us from feeling lost when we enter the profession."

Internships in the tourism industry require a lot of experience and exposure.

Mr. Trang Si Trung, the principal of Nha Trang University, said that regarding first-year students' internships requiring them to work 8 hours a day for 6 consecutive days as if they were full-time employees, the university has instructed the tourism faculty to adjust the internship schedule and is working with businesses to ensure the students' rights are protected.

Mr. Trung noted that the level, regulations, and requirements differ between internships and practical training. Internships help students grasp theoretical knowledge and fundamental principles; students learn and observe how work is done at the internship location, and the internship period is shorter than a practical training period.

"It's true that internships only involve observing and watching. However, the tourism industry demands high skills, and teachers and schools hope that through internships, students can experience and get acquainted with the work early on to gain more experience and skills, because classroom knowledge is not enough, so they need to practice," Mr. Trung said.

According to Mr. Trung, each internship company or institution has different regulations, requirements, and communication methods, so students must adapt to the specific institution.

Interns are given opportunities.

Compared to students on internships, students undergoing practical training receive more support. Ms. Vu Thi Huong Giang, manager of a resort in Bai Dai area (Cam Lam district, Khanh Hoa province ), said that the resort often guides third and fourth-year students through internships. What businesses value most is work ethic and responsibility, followed by skills.

"We will observe and evaluate your work responsibility through punctuality, adherence to shifts, and completion of assigned tasks," Ms. Giang said.

According to the resort manager, each student will receive different training. For newcomers, instructors will provide one-on-one instruction for two weeks. Students will observe the work or receive feedback after completing the tasks.

Each company will have different policies regarding benefits for student interns. For example, this resort provides transportation, lunch, and a small allowance for interns.

"After graduation, you may be hired as a day worker or full-time employee at the resort," Ms. Giang said.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/sinh-vien-kien-tap-nganh-du-lich-nhu-the-nao-cho-dung-va-du-20240629181745066.htm