ORTM Internship Requirements

We strongly recommend that your internship is a paid work experience, not volunteer. Internships should be completed prior to your senior year. You can start as early as your first year in the program.

Internships can be completed over the course of a summer (most common), split between two winter seasons (e.g. ski area operations), or part-time (e.g. in Laramie over the course of a year or more).

The professional development class (ORTM 4970) should be taken immediately following the successful completion of the internship and satisfactory evaluation from the employer. If your supervisor terminates your employment mid-internship or communicates unsatisfactory performance, you must communicate with the coordinator for next steps.

While only one internship is required for graduation, the more experience the merrier! Internships and work experiences are opportunities to gain experience in different fields, learn what you desire in a future career, and boost your resume for success after graduation. The coordinator can help you find multiple opportunities throughout your academic career.

Seek and obtain an internship that meets the following requirements:

1. At least 400 hours
2. 10 weeks or more
3. Meets the following learning outcome: “Provides the potential to succeed as professionals at supervisory or higher levels in park, recreation, tourism, or related organizations”
4. Student must complete a mid-experience check-in with the coordinator and supervisor. If the internship takes place in Wyoming, this will likely be a site visit. If it is out-of-state or remote, this can be a phone call, email, or online form.
5. Student must receive a satisfactory Supervisor Evaluation at the end of the internship.

Student Checklist & Action Steps

1. Meet with the internship and employment coordinator (Jordan Kobliska) to discuss the process for internship credit, requirements, and opportunities.
2. Explore the Virtual Career Center and discover career pathways, a jobs board, internship scholarships, and program partners.
3. Work with the internship and employment coordinator to find an internship, apply, interview, and accept a position that meets the requirements below.
4. Complete the Internship Proposal Form.
5. Receive approval from the internship and employment coordinator over email.
6. Start the internship. Complete a mid-experience check-in. At the end of your internship, receive a satisfactory supervisor evaluation.
7. Enroll in ORTM 4970 after satisfactory completion of internship.

ORTM 4970 is our mechanism for giving academic credit for the internship experience. Hours worked do not correlate to the number of enrolled credit hours. Treat the “satisfactory completion of internship” as the prerequisite for enrolling in ORTM 4970.

Student Checklist & Action Steps

1. Meet with the internship and employment coordinator (Jordan Kobliska) to discuss the process for internship credit, requirements, and opportunities.
2. Explore the Virtual Career Center and discover career pathways, a jobs board, internship scholarships, and program partners.
3. Enroll in ORTM 4960 the semester prior to completing the internship.
4. In ORTM 4960, you will work with the internship and employment coordinator to find an internship, apply, interview, and accept a position that meets the requirements below.
   • In this course, you will
     • Search for an internship.
     • Create application materials, and apply to the opportunities.
     • Set expectations for the internship.
     • Complete the Internship Proposal Form when you accept a position.
     • Receive approval from the internship and employment coordinator.
5. Start the internship. Complete a mid-experience check-in. At the end of your internship, receive a satisfactory supervisor evaluation. This evaluation but be submitted by the end of the summer.
6. After the internship is complete at a satisfactory, you will enroll in ORTM 4970.

Order of completion: Must be completed in this order…  ORTM 4960 (1 credit) –> Internship –> ORTM 4970 (1-5 credits).

ORTM 4970 is our mechanism for giving academic credit for the internship experience. Hours worked do not correlate to the number of enrolled credit hours. Treat the “satisfactory completion of internship” as the prerequisite for enrolling in ORTM 4970.

To be taken by all ORTM students after successful completion of internship.

Course Details

• fall & spring semesters
• prerequisite: satisfactory completion of an approved internship
• variable credit hours: 1 – 5. This is determined with your academic advisor.
• in-person meetings & event attendance
• grade: Satisfactory (S) / Unsatisfactory (U)

View a sample syllabus, course schedule, and assignment checklist here. There will be variations each semester.

Depending on how many credits you choose to take, you will have a different amount of assignments.

To be taken by ORTM students prior to the internship. Applies to students who enrolled in ORTM and UW fall 2025 or later.

Course Details

• spring semesters
• credit hours: 1
• event attendance & one-on-one meetings with the coordinator
• grade: Satisfactory (S) / Unsatisfactory (U)

Sample syllabus, schedule, and assignment checklist coming soon.

Responsibilities of students to their employers:

• To perform as if it were a full-time professional position
• To be supportive of the employer’s philosophy, methods, leadership, and program
• To consult the supervisor when confronted with problems
• To become familiar with the supervisor’s policies and procedures and to conduct activities in a manner that is consistent with those policies and procedures

Responsibilities of the student to the University:

• To be a representative of UW, the ORTM and hospitality programs, and Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute
• To keep the coordinator informed of major field experiences and to meet all other scheduled deadlines

Employer responsibilities to students:

• To inform the student of all regulations and operational procedures
• To acquaint the student with resources and materials used in the administration of the employer’s program
• To give the student challenging opportunities that may support the feeling of growth, achievement, and success
• To present criticisms in a constructive, objective, and tactful manner
• To encourage the highest standards of performance and assist the student in identifying possibilities for future placement within the sponsor’s field

Employer responsibilities to the University:

• To evaluate the students’ internship experience by completing the appropriate forms on or before the assigned deadlines. It is encouraged that these reports be reviewed with the student before they are transmitted to the internship coordinator

Safety Disclaimer:

Your safety is very important to us. The Haub School does not evaluate the suitability of internships in regard to a safe work environment. We strongly recommend that you evaluate the safety of the work environment prior to accepting a position. Examples include (but are not limited to) the company/organization sexual misconduct policies, safety training orientation, workman’s compensation insurance, and reputation.