School in the wee hours? Lodging Management students learn overnight at The Parker Inn
Coffee anyone? Local high school seniors enrolled in the Lodging Management program at the Capital Region Career & Technical School in Colonie didn't turn in early on December 7, when they took part in a unique educational experience: an 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. educational field trip to The Parker Inn in downtown Schenectady, next to Proctor's Theatre.

Career & Tech School students Michelle Kraft, who also attends Scotia-Glenville High School; Mahendradat Mangroo, who also attends Schenectady High School; and Ashley Marsett, who also attends Cohoes High School, and Teacher Christine D'Alessandro, CEC, CCE attracted local media coverage with their unusual overnight lessons.

"On December 7-8, instead of studying at home, socializing or sleeping, our Lodging Management students spent the night learning about what happens from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. at a well-run hotel," said teacher Christine D'Alessandro, CEC, CCE. "Under the direction of Frank Burns, The Parker Inn's director of operations, the students rotated through the hotel and saw firsthand the operations of food and beverage, housekeeping, security, and the front desk. We were excited to offer our students a unique experience at a unique hotel."

The students are preparing for national certification, college and careers through the program, which was developed by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and endorsed by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association and supported by the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"The Lodging Management program offers excellent educational and career development opportunities for Capital Region students, whether they are high school juniors or seniors," said D'Alessandro. "We appreciate the solid support of our business partners like the Parker Inn and Proctor's Theatre, next door, which hosts the Career & Technical School's Theatre Arts Technology program."

Lodging Management combines study on the Career & Tech campus with on-site learning and internships at area hotels including the Parker Inn and the Albany Marriott on Wolf Road. In addition to earning credit for career and technical coursework, Lodging Management students also may earn credit for high school English 12 and math. They earn college credit through Schenectady County Community College's University in the High School program, SUNY Cobleskill, Johnson & Wales University, Paul Smith's College and the National Lodging Management program.

Lodging Management students also work toward national certification as Certified Rooms Division Specialists. Such certification proves to employers that an individual has acquired a specified level of skills, knowledge, experience and a foundation for further education and career growth.

With more than 5,000 hotel rooms, the capacity to seat nearly 60,000 meeting and banquet guests and ongoing construction of even more such facilities, New York's Capital Region offers a host of career opportunities in the hospitality industry, which employs nine million people nationwide. Career opportunities in the lodging and hospitality field include employment as a Certified Rooms Division specialist, guest services agent, front desk or reservations manager or clerk, banquet assistant, catering or events salesperson, food and beverage director; general manager and more. Several colleges and universities offer degree programs in the field.

[12/8/06]