Sept. 6, 2024

Classrooms to Careers: Summer as Grand Traverse Resort and Spa intern provides broad-based experience for Ferris State Hospitality Management major

Gaining experience with technology and building team skills in a beautiful setting was Ferris State University student Sierra Cechura's opportunity this summer.

The Hospitality Management major and Hesperia native was a reservation intern at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, near Traverse City.

“Part of my experience was serving as the resort’s contact for those guests calling in with questions to confirm aspects of their visits,” Cechura said. “I took 732 phone calls in June as my training on the entire reservation system began. It really was a cool experience.”

Cechura said she had enjoyed her first internship the previous summer at the Inn at Bay Harbor and her role there in event presentation, but the system learning gained recently will be a great benefit.

“Being acquainted with a variety of hospitality-related technology, whether it was our golf reservation system, lodging management operations, or other programs, seems like it will be an asset as I move toward my career,” Cechura said. “I know now I could go in many directions and be confident about succeeding in any situation.”

Cechura said an added element of her internship was regular activity and interaction with fellow interns.

"There were 17 of us. We would come together 

every other week to discuss

our roles or receive panel presentations by staff and resort directors,” Cechura said. “We had a simulation project where our three-person teams each structured various aspects of the same property. One week, we made it to first place and found ourselves in last but finished the exercise in third place. It really was a great learning experience.”

There were additional bonding opportunities as Cechura ran a bingo night for the staff and interns, securing 10 prize packages to add to that event.

Cechura is thankful to have picked up valuable experience for her career close to home.

“It was bittersweet to be finishing up after all the learning and engagement we received at the resort,” Cechura said. “I am coming to my senior year, with the possibility of graduation in the 2025 fall semester or 2026 spring semester. Waiting might allow me to participate in the six-month internship at a Disney property, which would really boost my resume and professional experience.”

Cechura said motivation is essential for any student hoping to learn and grow through an internship.

“Do not be ‘on the fence’ about a position that seems outside your capabilities or even those which were not first-choice opportunities,” she said. “It is all worthwhile experience you can put on your resume, and whatever your impression of the prospect might be, there are connections and impressions to make that will help you develop as a professional.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports lodging managers can expect a median salary of just over $65,000 a year and a job outlook with seven percent growth for the decade ending in 2032, which is greater than average for all job prospects.