"Student Members at Your Fingertips" By Logan Keasling

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With the growing number of student members, MPI members and companies alike have an increasingly large pool of potential hires, interns, social media experts and extra hands for events at their fingertips. These student members spread across the nation and across the world. Many of these student members are looking to get their foot in the door and experience under their belts. MPI student members are highly driven and possess the skills to fulfill all types of positions. While these opportunities encourage the student to grow in the industry, the employer also benefits. The employer gains flexibility for staff augmentation, lower labor costs and also gives a developmental opportunity to someone on staff to manage an intern. The employer is also given the opportunity to test run the student before hiring, helping them make an informed hiring decision.

Maybe you do not need to fill a full-time position? In that case, student members are a great resource for use on special projects or events, including social media. They infuse enthusiasm, energy, new ideas and new skills into the company. Instead of filtering through multiple resumes, why not consider the motivated student members who have already taken the initiative to join the MPI group! With the number of student members on the rise, it is highly likely that the perfect person is out there looking for the opportunity to contribute to your organization.

(Logan is a Kansas State University 2013 graduate who was featured in the August 2013 issue of The KCMPI Times New Member section. She is an event manager for Sprint Strategic Events. Logan can be reached at logan.keasling@sprint.com.)

NEED AN INTERN?

University of Missouri – Columbia, MO

The University of Missouri’s Department of Hospitality Management is seeking internship opportunities for its 144 students. Four areas of concentration are Conference & Events, Food & Beverage, Lodging and Sport Venue Management. If you have opportunities within your companies, please contact Amanda Alexander, Ph.D. at alexanderac@missouri.edu or (573) 882-3528.

Amanda is a faculty member at the University of Missouri, Department of Hospitality Management. She currently teaches courses within Conference & Events emphasis area and an Introductory Hospitality Management course.

College of the Ozarks – Point Lookout, MO

The Hotel & Restaurant Management/Culinary Arts programs at College of the Ozarks are looking for Summer 2014 student internship opportunities. The four-year bachelor’s degree programs offer three areas of concentration: Meeting & Special Event Management, Hotel & Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts.

For more information please contact Jerry J. Shackette at shackette@cofo.edu or (417) 690-2119.