The job-shadowing program has been in existence since the hospitality program started at the high school.
“This is one of the highlights of the academy experience,” Hostetler said.
The academy offers both courses and hands-on experiences in everything from the culinary arts to the entertainment industry, and works with companies in a range of industries to prepare students for their futures. Students follow a rigorous schedule to gain an edge in business.
“I wanted to get a lot more experience, so I would be picked over the other guy for a job,” said junior Krista Flint, 16.
She worked at the resort’s spa for the day.
“It was so beautiful there that I wanted to stay when the day ended,” Krista said. “But they go through a lot to keep their customers happy.”
Krista learned about the software the spa employees used for scheduling, and said the experience taught her to be organized.
“The people there were great — very open,” she said.
Danielle Nash, an 18-year-old senior, said she was blown away by her tour of the resort’s engineering department, which included the maintenance and laundry areas.
“I didn’t really understand what the engineering department does,” she said. She compared the resort’s operations to that of the neighboring Hilton, which she learned about in the past, and said that although each resort handles things very differently, both are extremely efficient.
“There are so many people who do so much without anybody even noticing,” she said.
Danielle hopes to become a sign language interpreter in the hospitality industry, which will afford her the chance to travel.
