With our 2023 internship application opening Friday, September 16th, we've asked our interns from our Summer 2022 Corporate Cohort to share insight and advice from their internship experiences! Continue reading to learn about what makes our internships unique and how our interns Thrive at Hilton.
Dalajia Franklin, Campus Recruitment Intern, Michigan State University
Dalajia, center, with fellow McLean corporate Team Members
What has been the most impactful part of your internship?
“Definitely the people and the culture at Hilton. From the very first day, I was surprised at how nice every single Team Member was. Then day by day, I grew more surprised with how genuine everyone is, and how they genuinely care about your success. They give you the tools to do well, are more than willing to lend a helping hand, and check in with how you are doing outside of work. The Team Members at Hilton truly make you feel like you are valued, which made it even easier to come to work every day!”
What advice would you give to others considering an internship with Hilton?
“First, communication is key! Being open and honest will take you such a long way. If you need help with something, if you are struggling to finish a task, or even if you are running behind, just be sure you keep an open line of communication with your team about what is going on. Effective communication will take you a long way.
Second, do not be afraid to ask for help! Over the summer, I was frequently told that no question is a bad question. I know at times we may think the questions we have may be silly to ask, but anyone at Hilton you ask for help will be more than willing to assist. It is better to be sure, and to be safe rather than sorry!
Third, do not be afraid to be yourself. Hilton heavily emphasizes being your authentic self and is the most open and welcoming place I have had the opportunity to work in.”
What would make someone a good fit for our intern program?
“On the first day of the internship, it was heavily emphasized that a lot of our work would be collaborative. I think someone who is a team player and comfortable frequently working closely with others would be a great fit for the intern program.”
What transferable skill did you take away from your internship that you did not have before?
“Coming into Hilton, I had a decent foundation for several transferable skills (communication, teamwork, problem-solving, etc.), but being at Hilton, without a doubt, strengthened these skills. I also learned how important being adaptable is. Plans, deadlines, and requirements can all change, so adaptability is a skill Hilton helped me strengthen.”
Brandon Estrada, Software Engineering Intern, University of Texas at Dallas
What has been the most impactful part of your internship?
“The most impactful part has been the people that I have met. Everyone has been extremely kind, and they thrive on seeing you succeed. On the first day, my team told me to never be afraid to ask questions or reach out to them for help. The hospitality I received from everyone at Hilton made my internship so amazing and successful.”
What advice would you give to others considering an internship with Hilton?
“To apply! In the past seven years, Hilton has consistently been recognized as a Best Workplace in the US, and the #1 Best Workplace for Women. The culture and environment are amazing here and, as an intern, you will not just be doing busy work. You will be working on projects that are meaningful and contribute to the company.”
The campus team also goes the extra mile by setting up different events for interns, including the mentor-mentee program, hotel immersions, intern nights, and the Summer Executive Series, where senior leaders share their advice, and how they got to where they are today. From these, you create lifelong friendships and learn skills that help you in your future career.”
What would make someone a good fit for our intern program?
“I believe if you have similar core values as Hilton, you will be a great fit for the intern program. Hilton’s core values are:
Hospitality – being passionate in delivering exceptional service
Integrity – doing the right thing all the time
Leadership – being a leader in the industry and in your communities
Teamwork – being able to collaborate and work with a team
Ownership – taking responsibility for your actions
Now – having a sense of urgency and discipline.
If any of these values align with you, you would be a great fit for the intern program.”
What transferable skill did you take away from your internship that you did not have before?
“Two skills I have learned over my internship are communication and teamwork. In school you have small group projects, you have established due dates, and set requirements. However, in a professional environment, due dates and requirements can change at any moment. You need to be able to communicate with your team efficiently and adapt to these changes. I can now apply these skills to multiple aspects of my life, and they will help me find success in the future.”
Claudia Wood, Campus Brand Ambassador, Cornell University
Claudia, top row, fourth from left, attends a Nationals baseball game with fellow McLean internsWhat has been the most impactful part of your internship?
“For our Hilton Service Day, we worked with the D.C. National Mall Rangers to paint the fences that line the National Mall. It was a fun opportunity to give back to the community and work together as a cohort outside of the office, making new friends and connections.”
What advice would you give to others considering an internship with Hilton?
“I highly recommend reaching out to your school’s career management team and see if there are any Hilton Campus Brand Ambassadors currently on campus. Hilton restarted the program this year and several of the summer interns are back on campus, waiting to share their individual experiences and help guide students through the intern application process.”
What would make someone a good fit for our intern program?
“Someone would be a great fit if they have a passion for hospitality and serving others. That does not mean that you must be a hospitality major or have a background in hospitality. Wanting to go into work, excited and passionate that what you are doing is helping others, is an excellent value to have for our internship program.”
What transferable skill did you take away from your internship that you did not have before?
“One skill that I am taking away is learning how to code. This was not a skill I thought I would need but working with analytics this summer, it became an active part of my experience. I really appreciate how welcoming and willing the team was to create a positive environment for me to learn something that I had never seen before. Now I am going back to my senior year, and I am excited to continue coding and growing a skill that I can take into other jobs in the future.”
Learn more about our internship programs and apply for open positions.
