|
Want to find out what it's like to be an HTM student at Purdue University? Read what these students have to say — you can even e-mail them for more information.
 Name: Diane Binder
Hometown: Aurora, Illinois
High School: Waubonsie Valley High School
Emphasis: Tourism and Lodging Management
Minor in International Studies
Classification: Junior
What attracted you to Purdue and Hospitality and Tourism Management? Why did you choose it over other schools?
I have always loved traveling and wanted to turn that passion into a career. To be able to study what I love, I knew Purdue was where I needed to go for the well-developed HTM program. I also knew I definitely wanted to study abroad and Purdue HTM has amazing opportunities that take you almost anywhere in the world that you want to visit.
What do you like about HTM?
The HTM program has a great community feel. I have made some of my greatest friends through classes and activities for HTM. The professors and advisors know your name and who you are. It is very easy to communicate with them when you have questions or need help.
What activities are you in and are you an officer or on any committees?
My freshman year, I was in the CFS Honors Learning Community. I am a member of HTM Society and enjoy participating in Springfest and Black Tie Dinner. I was a food server at the dinner for two years and will be the Marketing Director for the 2010 event. I will be a Teaching Assistant for HTM 101 in the fall of 2009.
Internship Opportunities
During the fall semester of my sophomore year, I interned at the five-star Jinling Hotel in Nanjing, China for about six months. I worked within the food and beverage, concierge, reception, and guest relations departments, assisting guests from all around the world. I also studied Mandarin and travelled to over half a dozen cities all around the country for sightseeing. In the summer of 2009, I interned with Entertainment Cruises, Inc. in Chicago on the Mystic Blue cruise ship that sails on Lake Michigan. I will be doing front-of-house work, such as hosting, serving, and special events. The corporate headquarters is located downtown and I will work there within the marketing department, too.
What would be your "dream job"?
My goal is to work for a major cruise line; either marketing the vacation experience or doing destination development to coordinate ports of call. If not cruise lines, I would enjoy managing a resort on one of the beautiful islands in the Caribbean.
Word of Advice for prospective students.
Don’t be afraid to take risks to make your dreams come true. A Purdue HTM degree can take you anywhere you want to go within the hospitality industry. It can also take you anywhere in the world, and there is a whole world out there to be seen; be sure to study abroad and experience it for yourself.
To contact Diane Binder, email her at dkbinder@purdue.edu.
 Name: Carter Duggan
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
High School: Lutheran High School
Emphasis: Foodservice Management
Classification: Junior
What attracted you to Purdue and Hospitality and Tourism Management? Why did you choose it over other schools?
A number of my family members went to
Purdue so I grew up loving the school. That combined with the strength and reputation of the Hospitality program made it a simple decision. It is easily one of the best choices I’ve made.
What do you like about HTM?
I really like the sense of community throughout Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM). Even though Purdue is a huge school, there are only around 500 students in the HTM program. It’s really nice to have classes with a group of students that are friends, not strangers. I also really like how accessible the HTM professors are to the students.
What activities are you in and are you an officer or on any committees?
I am involved with Black Tie Dinner as the Vice President. Black Tie is an annual fundraiser for the HTM Society that features a five-course meal with 24-karate service completely planned and run by students. I am also involved with the HTM Career Day Board as Vice President. The purpose of the Career Day Board is to plan a career fair that takes place in the fall each year and features recruiters from companies all over the country. I also was one of Purdue’s Salute to Excellence delegates this past summer during the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation program for college students. This gives students an opportunity to network with industry executives during seminars and activities in Chicago.
Internship Opportunities
I interned at Augustino’s Italian Restaurant in the summer of 2008. I worked through a number of positions in the restaurant including serving, hosting, bussing, kitchen work, catering, and marketing activities.
What would be your "dream job"?
My dream job would to open a boutique hotel with a fine dining restaurant somewhere in the mountains. The aim would be to provide an elegant yet unique and relaxing experience.
To talk to Carter Duggan email him at cduggan@purdue.edu
Name: Adam Gordon 
Hometown: Loveland, OH
High School: Loveland High School
Emphasis: Lodging and Foodservice
Classification: Junior
What attracted you to Purdue and Hospitality and Tourism Management? Why did you choose it over other schools?
I became interested in hospitality as a major in high school so I only looked at those schools when choosing a college. I ended up coming to Purdue because it was the right fit for me, not to mention one of the best programs in the country.
What do you like about HTM?
The thing I like the most about HTM has to be the size. We are a relatively small program inside Purdue so one receives the best of both worlds. This creates a family atmosphere where everyone in your classes ends up becoming your friends.
What activities are you in and are you an officer or on any committees?
I was just elected treasurer for HTM Society which I have been a part of since I was a freshman. Every year we go on an incentive trip and last year’s was to New York for the International Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Show, which was a phenomenal trip. I am also involved in HTM's Black Tie Dinner where I work in the back of house preparing the food. Finally, I have a job on campus working as a server.
Internship Opportunity
The first summer (2008), after my freshman year, I worked for Esmeralda Renaissance Hotel in Palm Springs, California. I worked for the Pool Food and Beverage Department. Here I worked various shifts including food runner, bar back, server, and pool attendant. In the summer of 2009 I worked for Marriott Vacation Club at their Newport Beach Villas property in Newport Beach, California as a recreation intern.
What would be your "dream job"?
I originally came to Purdue to learn how to open my own restaurant, but plan to get hotel experience and hopefully one day be a general manager. Later on down the road, if I play my cards right, I hope to open a small Bed & Breakfast or restaurant, but you never know what will happen!
Word of advice for prospective students.
Do something! Getting involved is the best thing you can do. I highly recommend getting an internship the first summer which opens doors for the following year. It helps you know if you really want to do hospitality, as well as work in the best industry.
To contact Adam Gordon, email him at argordon@purdue.edu
Name: Rebekah Horney 
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
High School: Blackhawk Christian High School
Emphasis: Foodservice Management
Classification: Senior
What attracted you to Purdue and Hospitality and
Tourism Management? Why did you choose it over other schools?
The first thing that attracted me to Purdue was the fact that the
HTM program here is number 1 in the nation. I also had a
few friends who were already in the program and highly recommended it to me. The second thing I liked about Purdue was the proximity to my home. Being only two hours away, I have the option of going home for a weekend if I chose and the in-state tuition is a plus.
What do you like about HTM?
I love the Study Abroad opportunities that the HTM department has to offer. So far I have traveled to Spain, Switzerland, Australia, Dubai, Oman, and Portugal with different HTM programs and I have loved every minute of it. Each of the programs has given me the chance to explore the world while learning more about Hospitality and Tourism Management. Spain in particular was a wonderful experience for me because I was not only able to learn more about the tourism industry while living along the Mediterranean, but was also able to increase my Spanish skills while I was there. The HTM department offers a variety of Study Abroad programs throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, as well as during the spring, summer, and winter breaks.
What activities are you in and are you an officer or on any committees?
I am currently living in a Cooperative House called Twin Pines, where I am very involved and have held several offices including rush chair, scholarship chair, and chaplain, as well as being on the standards committee. This year, as Vice President of Recruitment for the Purdue Cooperative Council, I will be in charge of planning Recruitment for all twelve of our Cooperative houses. As a Purdue Opportunities Awards Scholar, I have had the opportunity to not only be involved in this scholarship program as a scholar, but also as a mentor and as a Peer Facilitator/Teaching Assistant. Other clubs I am involved in include Mortarboard , the Navigators, the Salsa Dance Club, and the Purdue Night Train (Swing dance club.) I also volunteer once a week through my Spanish class to help teach English to the Spanish speakers in our community.
Internship Opportunities
This summer (2009) I have the opportunity of doing an internship through Lettuce Entertain You. I will be working in a Spanish restaurant called Café Baba Reeba for the first half of the summer and then will be switching restaurants to work at a French restaurant called Mon Ami Gabi for the second half. Both are located in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago. Some of my responsibilities will include hostessing, working with the managers on zoning and inventory, as well as spending some time attending their intern seminars.
What would be your "dream job"?
My dream job would consist of being the manager of an upscale restaurant on the west coast or in another country such as Spain. Studying the foodservice side of Hospitality and Tourism Management has also increased my love of food and cooking, resulting in a desire to go to culinary school. I'd like to become a pastry chef and perhaps own a wedding cake business later in my career.
Word of advice for prospective students.
Get involved as much as possible. Purdue is a big campus and offers a wide variety of activities and clubs for all interests. Being involved will not only help you to meet a lot of new people, but it will also help you develop leadership skills if you step into officer roles in any of the clubs or organizations. Involvement in HTM activities is a great way to learn more about your major and the hospitality industry.
If you'd like to talk to Rebekah Horney email her at rhorney@purdue.edu
Name: Wenjie "Ivy" Niu
Hometown: Shenyang, China
High School: Miami High School
Emphasis: Lodging Management
Classification: Sophomore
What attracted you to Purdue and Hospitality and Tourism Management? Why did you choose it over other schools?
I was first attracted to Purdue’s HTM program because of the outstanding national ranking of the program. Purdue gives students the opportunity to choose a variety of Study Abroad Programs in many different places. Studying abroad in a different country helps you learn a different language and has always been my dream.
What do you like about HTM?
The HTM curriculum is organized quite well and most of the professors have valued experienced in the Hospitality and Tourism industry, and students can learn from their experiences. I also enjoy the many extra-curriculum activities.
What activities are you in and are you an officer or on any committees?
I have been a member of the HTM Society for one year, and I have been involved with the Black Tie Dinner for one year. I was also part of the TEAM HTM learning community for fall 2008. I am also a member of ALDPES (freshman honor society) and a member of UCA (Undergraduate Chinese Association).
Internship Opportunities
I am currently deciding to spend my freshman summer taking summer courses. And I am planning to do the department required HTM internship in summer 2010.
What would be your "dream job"?
My dream job would be to manage a full service resort hotel.
Word of advice for prospective students.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and try new things. Get involved in the activities and make college life worthwhile.
If you'd like to talk to Ivy Niu email her at niuw@purdue.edu
Name: Ryan Turley
Hometown: Houston, Texas
High School: Clear Brook High School in Friendswood, Texas
Emphasis: Tourism & Lodging with a minor in Economics
Classification: Senior
What attracted you to Purdue and Hospitality and Tourism Management? Why did you choose it over other schools?
I was attracted to Purdue by the #1 ranking. I wanted to go to a place where I knew I could get a top notch education and have a great career. I chose Purdue over other schools because of the friendly atmosphere when I visited. All of the advisors and students seemed eager to help and get to know me, even as a visiting high school senior. It felt like a place where you could get to know everyone. Coming from far away, this was really important to me - having people to make me feel comfortable at my home away from home.
What do you like about HTM?
The best part of HTM is we are getting real world training. All of the classes are relevant, so you're instantly learning things to get ahead in the real world.
What activities are you in and are you an officer or on any committees?
I am the treasurer for HTM Society and involved in the Black Tie Dinner event. I am also a CFS Ambassador, helping to promote and educate students about the College of Consumer and Family Sciences.
Internship Opportunity
In the summer of 2008 I interned as a staff accountant at Hotel Terra in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Instead of doing an internship in the summer of 2009 I went on a HTM Study Abroad trip to Argentina and Chile for four weeks and earned nine credit hours.
What would be your "dream job"?
My dream job would be working in hospitality finance; either in hospitality consulting, a hotel real estate investment firm, or as the controller of a large property.
Word of advice for prospective students.
Come in with an open mind. Don't think that you know exactly which career field you're going into. HTM opens up so many possibilities, which is why the internship requires you to rotate through many areas. Realize that you can tailor your career to fit what you're good at, and what you like. There's no reason for you to be stuck in a job you don't like in HTM! Also, don't be afraid to ask questions, because you're not expected to know all the answers.
To contact Ryan Turley, email him at rkturley@purdue.edu
|
