hands-on learning
Hands-on learning is an important part of education at Johnson & Wales University.  Many programs provide students with valuable experiential education – both in the classroom and on the job.

Practicums including internships, externships and career co-ops all place students within a practical situation to further develop their career knowledge and skills.  These programs are designed to give students the opportunity to develop skills and competencies in the workplace to augment the content knowledge of their profession gained in the classrooms and laboratories of the school. The key programs offered by the Career Development Office are the Cooperative Education Program (Co-op) and the Externship Program.

Co-op is an academic program that integrates classroom study with career-related professional training. The program allows students to gain academic credit for a practical work experience within their chosen profession, to gain valuable knowledge about their profession and to develop a professional network with their industry.  Upon completion of this term-long course, students will have a better understanding of the demands and expectations of business and industry.  The university partners with many companies to provide this experience.  The Greenbier, The Homestead, Walt Disney World, The Biltmore Estate, Gaylord Opryland, Sherwin Williams, Wade Financial, PRIM Media and Enterprise Rent-A-Car are just a few of the sites available.

Externship is a mandatory academic program for specified majors that integrates classroom study with career-related professional training. The program allows students to gain practical work experience in several areas of industry while earning academic credit toward their degree. Externships are completed in the Charlotte Area and offer a variety of best-fit site options for participating students.

Externship Opportunities:

Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Arts – during their sophomore year, culinary arts and baking & pastry arts majors are scheduled for a term-long assignment at a University approved site.  For culinary majors these may include Marriott and Westin hotels and the Chartwells Student Dining Center.  Baking & Pastry sites include Tizzerts, City Sweets bakeries and the Chartwells Student Dining Center.

Fashion Merchandising – fashion merchandising majors have the option of participating in a term-long externship at a university-approved site.  During this externship, students will apply their learning about all phases of retail store operations firsthand, including sales, merchandise presentation, catalog operations, inventory control, receiving and marking, and buyer’s clerical duties.  Some of the Charlotte sites include Belk, Express, American Eagle and The Limited.  Highlighting this program is a field trip to New York City, the “Merchandising Capital of the U.S.”

Food Service Management – Restaurant Management and Food & Beverage Management majors complete their term-long assignment at sites such as Ballantyne Resort, Charlotte City Club, Hilton and Omni hotels.

Hotel Management – as a part of their academic experience, hotel management majors will enjoy unique opportunities for hands-on learning during their sophomore year.  Students have an opportunity to gain practical experience through an 11-week rotation in all lodging and food service operations at one of the university-approved sites, which may include Ballantyne Resort Westin, Omni and Doubletree properties.

Marketing – by participating in the marketing externship, students will have the opportunity to apply basic knowledge in actual, ongoing marketing research projects for the university and its outside clients.  Students will work together in groups for project managers under the guidance of faculty members and meet weekly in classroom seminars. Employers include:  Charlotte Bobcats, US National Whitewater Center, JMI Telecom and several not-for-profit agencies.

Sports/Entertainment/Event Management – this senior-level capstone work experience is designed to allow students to apply what they have learned within a supervised industry-based setting.  While the externship focus and job position vary depending on site selection and student career interest, this hands-on opportunity will enable students to gain valuable work experience in the areas of sales/marketing, facility operations and financial management.  Some of the Charlotte sites include Charlotte Bobcats Arena, Charlotte Sports Commission and the US National Whitewater Center.

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