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Visitor Industry Career Exploration
BEST students 2007-08 |
The B.E.S.T.™ (Bureau Excellence in Student Training) college
program is designed to provide a pipeline for college students to
enter the visitor industry as skilled and knowledgeable workers
and allow for organizations within the industry the ability to recruit,
reengage, employ and retain these trained professionals. Through
the B.E.S.T.™ college program students at the university level
will apply their understanding of coursework to hands on activities
and job related experience. The program aims to provide networking
opportunities for multi-ethnic students and encourages participation
in professional associations.
During the last 20 years, the demand for skilled, knowledgeable
and professional visitor industry employees has grown in conjunction
with the rapid expansion of the visitor industry. In recognition
of the increasing economic impact of the visitor industry to the
Valley and State, the Greater Phoenix Multi-Cultural and Arts Foundation
(MCAF), a subsidiary of the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors
Bureau (GPCVB) introduces B.E.S.T.™ college, a yearlong tourism
internship program to students at a university level.
Contributing over 6 billion dollars to Greater Phoenix
alone, the visitor industry accounts for approximately 225,000 jobs.
As the region’s 2nd largest industry, tourism has an enormous
impact on the Greater Phoenix economy. The expansion of Phoenix
Civic Plaza and the addition of a new 1,000-room hotel in Downtown
Phoenix will undoubtedly bring even more business to the valley.
As leisure travel and convention business booms, the demand for
qualified, trained professionals is ever increasing, along with
the desire for a more multicultural workforce.
The B.E.S.T.™ program, designed as a career
exploration and industry-training program, is intended to supply
college students with the resources necessary to make informed career
decisions, while gaining hands-on experience in the field.
During the fall season of each year, eight students will be admitted
into the B.E.S.T.™ program. Students will be required to apply
at the end of each spring semester. The MCAF Board of Directors,
in conjunction with the program’s partners, will select the
participants based on a detailed application, letters of recommendation,
3.0 minimum grade point average, an essay and additional criteria.
The program will consist of two segments:
Internship
Students will be placed in several industry
organizations throughout the course of the program for a total of
200 hours. This will allow students to experience the visitor industry
from different perspectives and provide a comprehensive education
in each industry discipline. For 32 weeks, students will gain hands
on experience at management levels. With the partnership of MCAF
and industry organizations, B.E.S.T.™ participants will succeed
as leaders of this industry.
Co-Curricular Activities
Throughout the program students will attend
association conferences, GPCVB membership mixers, field trips and
other industry networking events including familiarization tours,
the Annual Meeting and MCAF Breakfast Series.
Partner Benefits
The B.E.S.T.™ program partners will include
hotels, resorts, travel companies, sports organizations, culinary
venues, aviation, retail franchises and many other leading organizations
in the industry as well as professional membership based agencies.
- Partners will be exposed to a diverse group of
students with the potential to recruit for their organization.
- Quality candidates can fill entry level and management
positions.
- Partners receive non-paid interns who have a
sincere interest in the industry.
- Partners will strengthen community relationships
while increasing diversity within the workplace.
Student Benefits
Participants of the B.E.S.T.™ program
will get a head start on a future career and meet other students
with the same interests.
- B.E.S.T.™ students will gain hands-on career
experience.
- Build relationships with professionals in the
industry.
- Establish contacts for future employment.
- Upon completion of the program, students will
have accomplished over 200 leadership hours.
- Students will receive paid memberships to professional
industry organizations.
- Through tuition reimbursement, every B.E.S.T.™
student receives a scholarship for one in-state semester!
Requirements
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to be eligible,
and interested students will also be required to submit a formal
application, a resume, an essay and letters of recommendation. Must
be enrolled in a tourism related course.
For applications or to become a partner of the B.E.S.T.™
program, please contact the GPCVB’s Multi-Cultural Affairs
Department at 602-452-6234, via email at kholland@visitphoenix.com
or click the links below and fax/ mail to:
Kelly Holland
Greater Phoenix Multi-Cultural and Arts Foundation
One Arizona Center
400 E. Van Buren, Suite 600
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Fax: 602-253-4415
Students Click
Here to apply
Potential Partners Click Here
to apply
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