Companies prefer to recruit WSU hospitality students in part because of the program’s requirement for hands-on industry experience. Every hospitality student must have 1000-hours of paid hospitality-related work experience in order to graduate. This requirement must be met to complete HBM 320, but it is recommended that students start logging hours before enrolling in the class.
The procedures for logging your 1000-hours of work have changed.
All students must now fill out the pre-job placement agreement prior to starting a new position. If you are currently working in a job or you have already completed the job but have not turned in the employer evaluation form, you still must fill out the pre-job placement agreement. The form must be filled out and signed by the student, their employer and the SHBM Director then returned to the SHBM. The form is available in the SHBM office, located in Todd Hall room 470, or is available to download by clicking on the link below.
Once you have completed the position, your employer needs to fill out the employer evaluation form. Your hours will not be recorded until this form is returned. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their employer returns the form. The employer evaluation form is available in Todd Hall room 470 or can be downloaded by clicking the link below.
1. Prior to starting position:
Fill out pre-job placement agreement, sign, and return
Available in Todd 470 (orange/salmon colored form) or download the form here
Return in person, mail or fax
The purpose of the pre-job placement agreement is to ensure students are working toward the 1000-hour work requirement and that the job meets the placement requirements.
2. After completing position:
Employer fills out the employer evaluation form, signs and returns
Available in Todd 470 (ivory colored form) or download the PDF here (click HERE for a filiable PDF form [requires electronic signature])
Return by email, mail, or fax
*Note: If this form is not returned, the student will not get credit for hours worked and may not be able to graduate.
Job Placement Requirements:
1. The position must be within the hospitality industry
2. The position must be paid
3. The pre-job placement agreement must be filled out and signed by the student, their employer, and the faculty coordinator
Exceptions and Special Notes:
Study abroad
- Hospitality in Thailand: Phuket
- Summer 2007 and 2008: 200 hours will be granted toward the requirement only if the student was registered for HBM 498 or HBM 298 during their time in Thailand
- Summer 2009 and forward: 200 hours will not be granted toward the requirement
- Food and Wine of Italy: Florence
- Summer 2007 & 2008: 200 hours will be granted toward the requirement
- Summer 2009 and forward: Hours will be granted for this study abroad experience based on how many hours are worked while abroad (see SHBM office for more details)
- Any other study abroad programs through the College of Business will not be granted any hours. This includes but is not limited to: Business in China, Business in Greece, Business in Korea, Business in Switzerland, Business in Northern Thailand, Summer Study Abroad in Mexico and Business Field Study in Thailand
Internship hours
- Hours accumulated from HBM 298 and HBM 498 will be added toward the 1000-hour requirement
Work experience during high school
- Only hours worked after high school graduation will count toward the 1000-hour requirement. Students who intend to include paid hospitality-related experience prior to high school graduation must have special approval from the SHBM
