The Tribune

Baha Mar yesterday launched its eight-week Summer Dream Team associate programme, one of three coveted student internship programmes.

The resort developer has divided its internship programmes based on age group. The Junior Jet-Setter programme for high school students started on July 7, while the Jet-Setter programme for college graduates will start on July 21.

These internships give students the chance to explore careers in hospitality while experiencing Baha Mar in areas such as environmental planning and sustainability, creative arts, marketing and finance.

“These outstanding students are the future of the Bahamian hospitality industry. These internships at Baha Mar demonstrate the diversity of the industry and show the students that if they have the right attitude and an aptitude for service, they can have a career in hospitality regardless of their area of study,” said Baha Mar’s chief operating officer, Paul V. Pusateri. “Together, we can transform the Bahamas and create a better future for our country.”

The summer programmes will lay the foundation for Baha Mar’s ‘better-than-best’ service culture among potential employees. While the Junior Jet-Setter programme will run for two to three weeks at a time, teaching high school students how to prepare for successful careers, the Jet-Setter and Summer Dream Team Associate interns will teach more specific workplace skills.

The college students and recent graduates will learn skills such as time management, professionalism and critical thinking, plus job-specific skills such as guest services, which will prepare them for future job opportunities with Baha Mar.

Participating students will be able to learn service standards and global perspectives from representatives of the exclusive resort brands at Baha Mar - Grand Hyatt, Rosewood, SLS and the centerpiece of the resort, the Baha Mar Casino & Hotel.

Candidates are hand-selected for each of the programmes based on their performance in school, participation in extra-curricular activities and in-person interviews with Baha Mar Academy representatives.

The Junior Jet-Setter programme selected only the top candidates from 350 applicants for the first session that started last week, and competition for the college-level programmes is also healthy, as these internships can lead to potential job opportunities at Baha Mar.

High school students and recent college graduates will still have the chance to participate in upcoming Junior Jet-Setter and Jet-Setter programmes that will begin in the coming weeks.

Applications for the Baha Mar Jet-Setter and Junior Jet-Setter programmes are available at www.bahamar.com/careers/opportunities under the ‘Current Job Openings’ tab.