Meyer Vacation Rentals Summer Interns Learn Vacation Rental Management Industry Operations

GULF SHORES, Ala., June 4, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Ten college students recently joined Meyer Vacation Rentals' team as summer interns.

Students represent the University of South Alabama, Reinhardt University, Pensacola Christian College, Auburn University, University of Mobile and University of North Texas.

The internships, along with Meyer's participation in a countywide partnership with Baldwin County high schools to hire student apprentices, are designed to provide the students with insight into the inner operations of the vacation rental business and hospitality industry as well as generate interest in long-term employment with Meyer.

"As we continue our daily mission of building brand advocates among team members, vacationers and our property owner partners, we are very focused on building a strong, dedicated workforce," said Corporate Safety and HR Administrator Patricia O'Donnell. "We believe it is very important to expose the student interns and apprentices to opportunities in the hospitality industry and to provide them with a hands-on experience that shows them how the industry works."

Meyer Vacation Rentals President Michelle Hodges said Meyer has offered an internship program for nearly 10 years. "We all know that summer time requires an expansion of our team to help us Make It Happen for our guests and owners. This year, we are excited to welcome our 2019 class of interns to the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast. These students are a talented group of young people spending the summer with our team and learning how to deliver exceptional hospitality."

Meyer has developed a robust student internship program that allows them to hear about and experience the various roles within the company. In panel discussions, networking events and job shadowing, leaders will share information about a variety of roles within the company, including marketing, human resources, accounting, real estate sales, customer service and community service.

The interns will also have the opportunity to participate in business networking activities hosted by area chambers of commerce, attend regular Meyer departmental meetings, pitch in on projects such as creating marketing materials, and participate in the creation, design and organization of the 2019 Meyer Vacation Rentals American Heart Walk Fundraiser.

"This year, we completely revamped the experience to ensure that each participating student has the opportunity maximize their 12-week experience at Meyer," Hodges added. "There are various components that comprise our organization, some internal facing and others external. It is important that we provide an encompassing experience that allows our interns to truly understand everything that goes into operating within the hospitality industry. Past experience has proven that some of our interns will return to work in a full-time capacity post-graduation; others become regular visiting guests. We certainly look forward to the day that one of our interns purchases an investment property and becomes a Meyer owner partner."

Isabelle Diaz, a marketing major going into her senior year at Reinhardt University, said she pursued an internship with Meyer to gain valuable work experience. "I think it's important to see what I'm learning in school outside the classroom in a real work environment. Having an internship also provides me with the opportunity to learn things that just can't be taught in a classroom," Diaz said. "I also hope that having a company like Meyer on my resume will further me in my future career. I have really enjoyed the internship so far. I think what has made it so enjoyable are the people who work here. Everyone is very nice, and you can tell they genuinely care that I'm getting the most out of this opportunity. I feel like I have already learned so much and look forward to continuing to learn more this summer. I've also really enjoyed being so close to the beach. This internship is already great, but being by the beach makes it that much better."

In a meet-and-greet session to introduce the interns to company leadership, Hunter Griffith, who recently graduated from the University of South Alabama, said he would like to land a full-time, permanent position with Meyer. "I graduated in the spring and am now working with the maintenance team creating key codes for our vacationers. I'd like to learn as much as I can now and become a valuable full-time team member after my internship is completed."

ABOUT MEYER VACATION RENTALS
With the responsibility of managing 1,000+ individually owned condos and homes in its vacation rental inventory and driven by an unwavering commitment to providing superior service and support to vacation rental property owners and guests, Meyer Vacation Rentals has helped hundreds of thousands of vacationers create lifelong memories on the beaches of Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan and Orange Beach, Alabama, and Perdido Key, Florida, since 1967. Learn more at http://www.MeyerRE.com.

SOURCE Meyer Vacation Rentals