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Kennesaw, Georgia | March 7, 2024
During her senior year, Kennesaw State University student Braidlyn Atkinson became the first hospitality management student to complete the degree’s new management trainee program, where students gain experience working in real hotels Experience working in multiple departments. Atkins graduated in December and used the experience to take a full-time position with Peachtree Hotel Group.
The 15-week paid internship program was developed jointly by Peachtree Hotel Group and Kennesaw State University’s Hospitality Management Program, part of the Michael A. Levine School of Management, Entrepreneurship and Hospitality.
What makes this program different from traditional internships is the two-week rotation cycle, which allows students like Atkinson to be exposed to all functional areas/departments of the hotel. They complete practical tasks – including everything from management support to reviewing hotel operations reports – and then provide critical analysis and recommendations to the hotel’s executive team. The immersive experience enables students to fully understand the industry and prepares them for the demands of working in the hospitality industry.
“This program is eye-opening,” Atkinson said. “By the end, I knew how each department worked and how each relied on the other to function correctly. I also quickly discovered that I wanted to pursue a career in sales.”
Atkinson completed the program at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Kennesaw. After showing interest in sales, management made her sales coordinator. Based on her performance, they offered her a permanent position as Sales Manager, which she started in after graduation.
“Braidlyn has consistently demonstrated a positive attitude, strong work ethic and is always willing to go the extra mile,” said Jonathan Wikse, General Manager of Embassy Suites Kennesaw. “Her dedication to each department and desire to deepen her understanding of the industry led us to begin her hotel sales journey.”
Atkinson’s journey to a hospitality management degree began in high school, when she worked at a wedding venue for three years, sparking her interest in the field. After attending an open house, she met the program’s director, Leonard Jackson, who quickly became Atkinson’s mentor, and she decided to attend Kentucky State University’s hospitality management program.
“Leonard Jackson has mentored me throughout my entire academic career,” Atkinson said. “He was the first professor I ever had who cared not only about his students’ success in the classroom, but also about their career success. .”
As a hospitality management major, Atkinson visited numerous hotels in the Atlanta area, networked with industry leaders, and was actively involved in events hosted by Cobb Travel & Tourism, a nonprofit dedicated to improving Cobb County as a The reputation of a tourist destination. She also serves as Vice President of Marketing and External Affairs for the Hospitality Leadership Club in fall 2023.
“Bradlin epitomizes the type of student we try to develop through our hotel management program,” Jackson said. “She consistently excels academically, has an excellent work ethic, and is an excellent problem solver. Her default skill responses to challenges are ‘yes’ and ‘I’ll figure it out.’ “
In addition to Jackson, Atkinson attributes her success at Wikse at Embassy Suites to Wikse, who worked with Jackson to develop Peachtree Hotel Group’s management trainee program.
“While the information they receive in the classroom is critical, gaining real-world experience helps prepare them for a future in the field,” Vickers said. “Like Dr. Jackson, we believe in investing in the future of the hospitality industry. While providing these students with the opportunity to find a unique career path, we also provide the opportunity to make connections that will be valuable throughout their careers.”
As the first student to complete the Restaurant Management Trainee program, Atkinson shows students how to provide opportunities for students to try different areas of the hotel industry, helping them focus on achieving their goals when they graduate. The new internship program is a valuable way for students to gain exposure to the industry and learn what it takes to succeed.
“Without this program, I still am not sure what part of the industry I want to be in and my career wouldn’t be as advanced,” Atkinson said.
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