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John Schellhase, a Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management major, is taking ambitious steps to propel his career. With an internship at the Liberty Taproom and Grill and a head for networking, John is well on his way to success.

John chose his major after getting some real-life experience in the industry. While many students wait tables to pay for college, John used his job at a restaurant as a starting point for his college career.

“I entered college knowing that I wanted to go into business,” said John. “After working in a local restaurant, I fell in love with the industry. I knew that it was what I wanted to do from then on.”

After finding his place as an HRTM major, John continued to move forward in pursuit of his professional goals. One important step was turning his part-time job as a waiter at the Liberty Taproom and Grill into an internship where he became a head trainer.

“I took the opportunity because it allowed me to take on management responsibility at an early stage in my career,” said John.

In order to maximize his experience, John took a business approach to his internship.

“Goal setting was most beneficial in preparing for my internship,” said John. “I went into my internship with a list of things that I wanted to accomplish. It really allowed me to get the most out of my job.”

At his internship, John expanded his knowledge of the restaurant business and took on more responsibilities. As head trainer, he not only served tables but also was responsible for training all of the other servers. He also had direct input when it came to the restaurant’s training and development decisions.

John, who plans to graduate in May 2010, hopes to be on the executive committee of a luxury hotel within the next five years. His ultimate career goal, however, is even more ambitious.

“I would like to become the general manager of a Ritz-Carlton property before becoming CEO of a major hospitality corporation,” says John.

With his knack for professionalism and business, John’s plans are well within reach. He advises other students to take a similar approach and view every situation as an opportunity in order to further their careers.

“Take every opportunity to network very seriously,” John said. “Also, have a resume and business card with you at all times because you never know who you will meet, and you never know how they can change your life.”