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WHAT'S IN A NAME? FOR PEBBLE BEACH INTERNS...EVERYTHING!

By Kalli Sandberg (RPTA '13), Staff Writer

Every year the Cal Poly RPTA department says goodbye to fantastic seniors who embark on the next leg of their life journey. Well prepared by a dynamic major, students have the opportunity to experience internships that people would only dream of having. One such "dream internship" is with Pebble Beach Resorts, the crown jewel of the Central Coast of California. The RPTA department has forged a long and fruitful relationship with Pebble Beach. Tim Ryan, Vice President of Sales for Pebble Beach Resorts, serves on the RPTA advisory council and has helped to create opportunities for RPTA students. Approximately 24 interns have been placed at Pebble Beach in the last decade with more than half of those interns being hired as full-time employees. For the summer and fall season, three RPTA students earned internships with Pebble Beach: Phillip Stapp ('11), Jackie Lauver ('11) and Tiffany Fowler ('11).

Fowler and Lauver both raved about their internships with Pebble Beach. Fowler expressed how much the internship taught her, "Not only has this internship been an incredible opportunity for growth and professional networking but additionally, it has taught me invaluable lessons about the hospitality industry that I'm convinced can only be learned through firsthand experiences."

The RPTA department sets students up for success after graduating by giving them critical classroom and real world knowledge that is applicable across the board in the professional world. Lauver had worked with San Luis Obispo Downtown Association as well as J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines before her internship, while Fowler was the ASI President's Chief of Staff for the 2010-2011 academic year. Lauver started on her path to Pebble Beach because of Professor Kendi Root's advanced event planning class. She was given the chance to help plan the ESTC 2011 conference, which gave her experience and confidence to enter the real world.

RPTA majors are required to complete a 400-hour internship as part of the graduation requirement, but what many do not know is that full-time employment can be counted for the internship. That's the goal anyway, right? Lauver was one of the fortunate few who simultaneously ended her college career and began her full-time working career in being hired full-time as a Pebble Beach employee. Lauver explained further, "I had previous obligations I was committed to and could not commit to a summer internship. I kept in communication with Pebble Beach and was contacted when an opening became available for fall internships. After discussing my experience and status in school, it was suggested I apply for the full time position as Senior Reservations Agent. I am completing my internship credits learning the leading technology for resort reservations for the premiere golf resort in the world. What more could you ask for?"

Both Fowler and Lauver know that whatever the future holds, those three words, "Pebble Beach Resorts," on their resume will be powerful in the hospitality industry.

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