Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R), a proud PA Chamber of Business and Industry member, needed a program to augment its seasonal workforce during the summer season at Hersheypark, the state’s largest amusement park, while developing tomorrow’s leaders. HE&R created an innovative internship program that includes working at the Park while having access to summer housing and transportation and earning a leadership certificate. The 12-week accredited leadership curriculum was designed in collaboration with Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Shippensburg) and has the potential for students to earn college credits. The program offers ample opportunities to network with internal and external experts in their fields of study and academic staff members from Shippensburg while learning about the hospitality and amusement park industries.
In 2021, HE&R launched the Hersheypark Leadership Development Internship Program (HPLDI). Upon completing their summer internship, participants receive a certificate for leadership development training issued by Shippensburg.
In its inaugural year, the HPLDI program proudly earned the IAAPA Brass Ring Award for Human Resources Excellence for Best Employee Engagement Initiative – Annual Attendance More Than 1 Million. Since its inception, the program has continually grown and evolved, welcoming students from across the United States and internationally each summer, with more than 750 program ‘graduates’ representing more than 265 colleges and universities, including Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education institutions and top hospitality programs nationwide, including Howard University, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Virginia Tech, Purdue University, University of Central Florida, New York University and University of Delaware. With approximately 250 participants annually, HPLDI is ideal for students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of college.
During a typical week, HPLDI interns work as Hersheypark team members, then develop and sharpen skills in our leadership academy classroom environment led by Shippensburg and HE&R professionals. Interns work in a variety of positions across multiple Hersheypark departments:
- Ride Operators and Lifeguards in Attractions
- Food & Beverage
- Ticketing/Admissions and Guest Relations
- Guest Experience
- Safety & Security
- Games
- Retail
STUDENT-CENTERED LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
HPLDI provides program participants various opportunities to expand their professional skills and enhance their resumes. The interns learn essential workplace competencies through hands-on work, are challenged to deliver
exceptional service to internal and external guests and develop interpersonal, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills. Program participants grow professionally and personally in the classroom through unique training exercises and classes.
During the summer of 2024, classroom curriculum and workshops included Clifton Strengths Assessment, Customer Service Excellence, Emotional Intelligence, Polish Your Professionalism, Intentional Listening, DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), Generational Age Gap, and Servant Leadership.
The annual Intern Networking Luncheon at Hershey Lodge is a program highlight. Participants meet leaders from our organization, learn more about the industry, and gain valuable one-on-one professional advice. The 2024 Intern Networking Lunch event also featured best-selling author and speaker Steve McClatchy, who delivered a thought-provoking keynote presentation on personal branding.
The HPLDI program concludes with a capstone ‘graduation’ closing event, a question-and-answer session with a panel of HE&R executive leaders, including company President and CEO John Lawn. The panel gave interns a valuable opportunity to pose questions to company leadership, gain insight into what employers are looking for in candidates, and learn more about career opportunities.
Dr. Nicole Hill, Shippensburg’s Dean of the College of Education and Human Services, best encapsulated the program at the 2024 HPLDI graduation ceremony, stating, “HE&R created a
program with a curriculum focused on key leadership skills, intertwined with the competencies employers are looking for, paid the students to attend class, and provided them the opportunity to receive this certificate of completion. You are leading our region – really our state – as an example of a company focused on investing in and actively creating future leaders. Thank you for continuing to live out the legacy of your founder, Milton S. Hershey.”
LEARN MORE AND APPLY TODAY
If you want to have fun, be inspired, feel good about what you do, give back to a greater mission, and thrive professionally, we invite you to join our team as an intern in Hershey The Sweetest Place On Earth. For more information on internships and career opportunities, including HPLDI, please visit HersheyJobs.com.