by: Maggie Stacey
Last spring, I had the chance to do something exciting through SIU. I got to go on an externship in St. Louis! For four days, a group of other students and I were able to step inside some of the biggest hotels in the area and see how everything works behind the scenes. One of the highlights of the trip was getting to spend time at the Marriott St. Louis Airport Hotel, where an SIU Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management (HTEM) alum works.
Exploring Hotel Departments
While there, we got to visit many different departments, and it was eye-opening to see how much goes into running a hotel. We learned about the front desk, housekeeping, sales, accounting, maintenance, human resources, banquets, and events. Each department has its own role, but together, they make the hotel run like one big team. For example, the sales department works on everything from business travel to big group events, and housekeeping keeps everything clean and ready for guests every single day. We even got to meet the Manager on Duty, who talked with us about leadership and what it takes to step in when the hotel gets busy.
Meeting an SIU HTEM Alum
One of my favorite parts of the trip was meeting an SIU HTEM Alum who currently works in the sales department in many of the hotels in St. Louis. It was amazing to hear her experience, go through old SIU memories, and get real world experiences, when visiting with her. She made the trip enjoyable, and it was amazing to network and make a connection with her.
The Marriott St. Louis Airport Hotel stood out to me because of its location and convenience. Being right next to the airport makes it the top pick for many travelers, but it also has much more to offer like meeting rooms, banquet spaces, and plenty of amenities. This makes it a great place for both business and leisure guests. The overall atmosphere of the hotel made me feel like I could fit right in.
What I Learned from This Experience
Overall, this externship was a valuable experience. It showed me how many different career paths exist within hospitality, and it helped me see where I might want to go in the future. I’m so thankful that SIU offers opportunities like this because it’s one thing to learn in the classroom but getting to step into a hotel and see it all in action is something I’ll never forget. This opportunity is open to all SIU students, not just HTEM majors. No matter your major, I recommend taking part in experiences like this. It’s a great way to learn, make connections, and get inspired for your future career!
For questions, concerns, or more information regarding the Extern Program, please reach out to: SIU Career Development Center 618-453-2391 careerdevelopment@siu.edu
