Securing any internship is a huge accomplishment for a college student, but it’s even sweeter when it combines hands-on leadership training with a few tasty perks. Senior Justin Medina and sophomore Gabriel Jenkins joined seven other Retrievers over the summer as part of the Hersheypark Leadership Development Internship Program, a 12-week paid internship that allows students earn an hourly wage while also providing them with intensive leadership training—oh, and full-access passes to the park during their time off.

Tools of the trade

• An open mind (you’ll be trying new experiences and meeting new people)
• Strong work ethic (be ready to be tested)
• Sunscreen and sunglasses (it IS an amusement park, afterall) 
• A watch (time flies when you’re having fun)

Step 1: Figure out what you’re hungry for

Through this unparalleled program, students get to enjoy the monetary benefits of holding down a Hersheypark job of their choice, in addition to undergoing leadership training. Medina leaned into his love of swimming and trained as a lifeguard, learning life-saving skills like CPR and how to handle a trauma kit. Jenkins chose to do ride operations and learned a few things about himself along the way. 

“I learned I’m more reliable than I thought,” he said. Jenkins was trained on Lightning Racer, the first wooden racing/dueling rollercoaster in the United States. He interacted with guests while ensuring their safety by following the set procedures Hershey Entertainment & Resorts provided, confirmed height and/or weight standards were met, checked that seatbelts and restraints were fastened and locked, and controlled the right buttons to make the roller coasters go and return with a team of other hardworking ride operators. Throughout the summer, his work ethic was recognized and his supervisors gave him additional responsibilities that helped him see abilities he hadn’t tapped into yet. 

“These students were great team members in our operations and fantastic contributors in our Professional Development Sessions, where they uncovered their strengths and how to apply them in their roles at Hersheypark and beyond,” said Jacklyn Mrakovich, college relations recruiter at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts.

Step 2: A taste of the real world

Both Medina and Jenkins packed up their things and spent the summer living in rental housing provided at a reduced rate through the company. The time away from home and campus gave them a glimpse of what post-graduate life could possibly look like. 

“It was a good taste of being in the real world, especially because I moved out there. It really teaches you how to be on your own,” said Medina. He also underscores what a unique opportunity this was: “It basically gave you the 9-5 work experience, but also has a school aspect with seminars and events. While being at an amusement park.” 

Once a week, interns attended various professional development trainings, with coursework and curriculum focused on teaching students to be better leaders and prepare them for the workforce. Although their work didn’t directly speak to either student’s majors (information systems for Medina and graphic design for Jenkins), they still learned invaluable lessons that they’ll carry with them in their professional careers. Which brings us to…

Step 3: Buckle up and enjoy the ride

“You have to go in with an open mind and not be scared, you have to just take the next step forward,” encourages Medina to those thinking about the program. The intangibles of this experience were the things both Retrievers will remember—the networking opportunities, meeting students from across the world, and learning how to be a good employee and a good colleague. 

“It really helped me understand the process of actually doing a job and working for someone, learning how to communicate with co-workers and working with people from different backgrounds,” says Jenkins. 

At a roundtable discussion held as part of the leadership portion, students were grouped by major/area of interest and given the opportunity to meet employees in their field. From this discussion, Medina was able to see how he could apply the skills he learned over the summer to his future career—directly or indirectly.

“I thought more of how it could help benefit me in the future when it comes to IT. If I’m going to be working in groups or if I end up going towards a project management route, that’ll help me as a leader and help me adapt to certain scenarios or circumstances.” 

Not realizing the program’s universal draw, both Jenkins and Medina found themselves energized by getting to know their international peers—a highlight of their experience. 

“We got to work alongside international employees and learned a lot about working with people from different backgrounds,” says Jenkins. “My favorite part was meeting people from across the world.” 

“It was so cool showing my experience and seeing their experience and how we were able to share cultures,” adds Medina.

Step 4: Reap the rewards

The summer wasn’t all work and no play for the Retrievers. Interns got to enjoy some of the perks of living in a town known equally for its chocolate and its theme park. On their days off, they could take a dip in the pool at their accommodations, check out the employee store, or take advantage of the free access to Hersheypark. 

“It just felt different going to the park as an adult and knowing I could go whenever I want. Little me would have been so excited,” says Medina. 

While the swag and all-access passes certainly are souvenirs the interns are grateful for, the lasting impact is what the experience could mean for their future careers.

Of recent alumni, 85 percent were engaged in applied learning like internships, research, service-learning, or leadership during their time at UMBC. Thanks to the work they’re putting into their futures as a student, 93 percent graduate with firm plans for employment or graduate school within six months of graduation.

“I’m continually inspired by the way our students engage in applied learning to launch their careers,” says Marykate Conroy, associate director of internships and employment. “UMBC students are entering the workforce prepared and in demand.”

“The memories and the networking are the two things I’m walking away with,” says Medina. “I have more people to reach out to and even if they’re not directly in my field, they’re so willing to help.”