Program Opportunities

Field Trip Friday

Program Overview: Discover the best of Utah’s hospitality and tourism scene with our Friday field trips. Each experience blends hands-on learning, valuable networking, and behind-the-scenes tours that reveal how hospitality powers diverse industries. Student Leaders in the Field Trip Friday program will coordinate trips with industry professionals and on-site management, plan trip logistics, support outreach efforts for each trip, and document the trip through photography or videography.

Requirements: Be an active University of Utah student, Attendance to weekly meetings and bi-weekly field trips, A valid driver’s license and ability to pass a University Driver Education Course

Preferred Skills: Event planning, logistics, communication, photography.

Expectations & Time Commitment: Students are expected to dedicate at least 3-4 hours per week to meetings, trip planning, and execution. In addition, students communicating with industry partners and site managers are expected to reply to all communication from them in a timely manner (Typically no more than 48 business hours).

Marriott Ambassadors

Program Overview: The J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute's Ambassador Program is dedicated to enhancing the institute's visibility across various platforms, including high school events, University of Utah campus activities, and the broader community. Ambassadors serve as proactive advocates, promoting the institute's diverse programs and the myriad opportunities available to University of Utah students.

Participating as an ambassador offers students invaluable professional and personal development opportunities. Through outreach activities such as classroom presentations, tabling events, and workshops—along with documenting events for social media and marketing and supporting Institute programs—students strengthen their public speaking, communication, and leadership skills while building a strong sense of engagement with the University of Utah community.

Requirements: Be an active University of Utah student, weekly attendance to meetings, attend tabling or other outreach event at least twice per month, engaging in volunteer opportunities, and providing support for key Institute programs, including the annual Hospitality Rising Summit.

Preferred Skills: communication, marketing, writing, photography, social media, content creation, public speaking.

Expectations & Time Commitment: Students are expected to dedicate at least 2-4 hours per week to meetings, outreach efforts, and events.

Hospitality Rising: A Student Summit

Program Overview: The Hospitality Rising Summit is our flagship annual event, uniting industry experts with high school and university students statewide. Participants gain valuable professional insight, explore future academic and career pathways, and take part in exciting Hospitality Competitions for top prizes. Student Leaders in the Hospitality Rising Summit program will lead event logistics, participate in session planning with Institute staff, and help organize outreach efforts.

Requirements: Attendance to weekly meetings and full day availability on November 3-4 for event set up and execution.

Preferred Skills: Event planning, logistics, communication, public speaking/facilitation, social media

Expectations & Time Commitment: Students are expected to dedicate at least 2-4 hours per week to meetings and event planning. In addition, students communicating with event vendors or industry professionals are expected to reply to all communication from them in a timely manner (Typically no more than 48 business hours).

Hospitality on Campus

Program Overview: The Hospitality on Campus Program is an exclusive internship opportunity for University of Utah students who are passionate about hospitality and eager to gain diverse, hands-on experience across multiple campus-based operations. Through a semester-based rotational model, interns will explore a variety of roles within hospitality services while developing practical skills and professional insight into the industry. The student leader of the Hospitality on Campus program will be the main point of contact for student interns participating in the program, and will facilitate additional training periodically during the semester.

Requirements: Be an active University of Utah student, attend weekly meetings with Institute staff, and facilitate monthly meetings with student interns, Plan and execute trainings sessions.

Preferred Skills: Professional communication, leadership, public speaking/facilitation, adaptability,

Expectations & Time Commitment: Students are expected to dedicate at least 3-4 hours per week to meetings, onboarding, and training planning. In addition, students communicating with campus partners and student interns are expected to reply to all communication from them in a timely manner (Typically no more than 48 business hours).

The Leadership Retreat

Program Overview: The Leadership Retreat is an annual trip for University of Utah staff and students to attend a world-class leadership training facilitated by The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center. Attendees learn how to create and curate a culture of excellence to create meaningful engagement in their organization while building on their existing leadership skills. Student leaders in the Leadership Retreat program will assist institute staff in execution of the 2026 retreat in August, including event set-up, travel logistics, and trip documentation through photo and video. In addition, leaders will assist with activity research and planning for the 2027 retreat.

Requirements: Be an active University of Utah student, Attendance to bi-weekly planning meetings, and be available to travel to the 2026 Leadership Retreat in August 2026.

Preferred Skills: Event planning, logistics, communication, public speaking/facilitation, photography, videography

Expectations & Time Commitment: Students are expected to dedicate at least 2-4 hours per week to meetings and trip planning in addition to full availability for the duration of the retreat. All travel expenses will be paid by the Institute.

Table for Four

Program Overview: Table for Four offers students the opportunity to connect with hospitality professionals through a guided, small-group lunch experience. Participants gain valuable career insight, industry knowledge, and practical advice while building meaningful professional connections over a free meal. Student Leaders in the Table for Four program will plan and coordinate the meetings with industry professionals and assist with outreach efforts for each event.

Requirements: Be an active University of Utah student, attendance to weekly planning meetings and bi-weekly lunches.

Preferred Skills: Event planning, logistics, communication, social media

Expectations & Time Commitment: Students are expected to dedicate at least 3-5 hours per week to meetings, lunch planning, and execution. In addition, students communicating with industry partners are expected to reply to all communication from them in a timely manner (Typically no more than 48 business hours).