Students 'check in' to classes at Scarlet Hotel

Classes have only been in session for three weeks, but already, junior Alejandra Limon-Camarena sees the benefit of the new facilities the hospitality, restaurant and tourism management program now utilizes at The Scarlet Hotel — where she also happens to be an intern.

This is the first semester Limon-Camarena and her classmates can claim something very few others can — they go to class every day in a boutique hotel. 

“It’s all so new and exciting for us,” Limon-Camarena said. “Instead of coming to a classroom and having to imagine how a hotel works, students can literally step out of class and just see it for themselves.” 

Moving into the new classroom facilities gives students in the HRTM program real-world access and insights into what makes a hotel function. This ranges from interacting with and shadowing staff to having ample places to study in the lobby. 

“There are a lot of students who want to be in hospitality but maybe have never had the opportunity to spend time in a hotel before,” Limon-Camarena said. “This gives everyone a chance to see how a hotel runs day-to-day and interact with staff from different departments.” 

Limon-Camarena's case is a little different. She has already been learning the ins and outs of the hotel for months as a sales coordinator intern at the Scarlet, doubling up on the hands-on experience the unique facility offers. 

“I'm getting such a well-rounded experience here,” she said. “My managers want me to get experience in all different departments, but at the same time I have my own set of responsibilities I take care of.” 

From setting up quarterly staff meetings to lending an extra set of hands to front-of-house workers, Limon-Camarena feels herself getting the exact sort of comprehensive experience she craved. She is excited for her HRTM classmates to start reaping the same benefits. 

“I already see how this experience is going to jump-start my career once I graduate, just through all the hands-on experience and the connections I've made so far,” she said. “What’s so cool is that now every student is going to get that experience that you just can’t get on a regular campus. That real-life aspect is how you really learn.”