Casino Internships for Penn State University Students

Participating in an internship program can make it easier for anyone about to enter the job force. Students at Penn State University now have a new option for internships. The University’s School of Hospitality Management recently announced that it has begun a partnership with the Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Washington County in order to offer students a chance to get their feet wet in the working world.

Students chose to work at Meadows will be chosen for positions in casino operations that include marketing, restaurant and bar management, administration, along with assisting casino hosts on the floor and being involved with customer service.

Meadows interns will not be paid for their work. Students will work at the casino for at least 40 hours a week for the duration of the internship, which will last between 10 and 12 weeks each, according to the casino.

For their work students will receive more than experience. Interns may be awarded as many as three college credits.

Understanding that many students have bills that need to be paid, the casino is offering its interns the option to work part-time jobs for pay. These positions will be in addition to the 40 hour work week that interns will be required to complete. The internship program is scheduled to begin next summer, which is right after Meadow’s 350,000 square foot facility is expected to open.

The Meadows isn’t the only casino that will have an internship program in Pennsylvania next year. Harrah’s Chester will begin taking its first round of interns from different universities throughout the state in January, said Steve Durham, who is the instructor of Gaming and Casino Management at Penn State.

In order to participate in either of these programs, students are required by law to be 21 years old or older and will have to obtain a license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

“We’re excited--and so are out students-- about this new opportunity to send out students to The Meadows,” said Bert Van Hoof, who is the director of the hospitality management school. “The Meadows has proven to be one of the finest-run casinos anywhere. Our students are going to learn a great deal.”