The Power of Internships in Shaping Hospitality Careers
06 May 2025
For college students pursuing a career in hospitality, the classroom is just the beginning. Hospitality is a people-focused, high-energy, ever-evolving industry — and the best way to understand it is to get your hands dirty (in the best possible way). That’s why internships are such a crucial part of the learning process.
Internships allow students to “try on” a career before committing to it. They turn theory into practice, introduce future professionals to workplace culture, and reveal the day-to-day realities of an industry that’s as dynamic as it is rewarding.
But not all internships are created equal. And not all career paths are visible from the classroom.
Why Destination Management?
For many hospitality students, their coursework focuses heavily on hotels, tourism, and food and beverage. But what about the companies who design events from the ground up, coordinate logistics across cities, and serve as the behind-the-scenes experts making every experience seamless and memorable?
Enter the Destination Management Company (DMC).
DMCs are full-service event management companies with deep local expertise. They design, plan, and execute everything from corporate meetings and incentive trips to custom group experiences. Yet many students graduate without ever knowing this career path exists.
That’s where internships come in.
For Faculty: Expand the Industry Lens
If you're teaching tomorrow's hospitality leaders, consider how DMCs can add a new layer to your curriculum. ADMEI’s Best Practices in Destination Management book is an excellent supplement to your curriculum, offering real-world insights and professional standards that help students connect their classroom learning to actual industry practices.
Also, connecting with local DMCs can provide your students with diverse career insights, help your program stay ahead of industry trends, and offer guest speakers, site visits, or case studies that reflect real-world complexity.
ADMEI’s Campus to Career initiative offers a simple way to bridge your program with DMCs around the world. Whether it’s through sponsored memberships, collaborative projects, or internship placements, this is a powerful way to broaden your students’ professional horizons.
For Students: Discover a Career You Didn’t Know Existed
Interning with a DMC introduces you to an exciting, fast-paced world that blends creativity, logistics, and client service. You might find yourself crafting proposals one day and managing airport arrivals the next. You’ll learn the ins and outs of your destination in ways you never imagined — and gain real-world experience that sets you apart from the competition.
Most importantly, you’ll discover if this is the right fit for you. There’s no better way to figure out what you love (or don’t) than by jumping in and giving it a go.
For DMCs: Grow the Pipeline and the Profession
Let’s be honest — we’ve all met talented hires who said, “I wish I had known about this earlier!” The truth is, many don’t find their way to Destination Management until years into their careers. But that can change.
By offering internships, you give students a front-row seat to what we do best. You cultivate potential team members who already understand your business. You get extra help during busy seasons. And you contribute to elevating our industry’s visibility and professionalism.
Interns don’t just benefit your future hiring needs — they bring fresh perspectives, tech-savvy skills, and contagious enthusiasm that can energize your entire team.
Ready to Get Involved?
Whether you’re a student looking for hands-on experience, a professor hoping to enrich your program, or a DMC ready to connect with emerging talent — now’s the time.
Because when we invest in internships, we invest in the future of Destination Management — and everybody wins.
Are you a DMC looking to create an internship program? Join us for our upcoming webinar: Internships 101: Creating a Program That Works. 15 May 2025.