Interview With Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch
J-1 Interview Sessions Around the World
Welcome to St. Louis, a vibrant city located along the majestic Mississippi River, where history and modernity blend to create a captivating destination. Iconic for its towering Gateway Arch, which symbolizes the city's role as the Gateway to the West, St. Louis boasts a rich culture and a welcoming atmosphere. Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch is located in a premier location, overlooking the iconic Gateway Arch.
The downtown location offers easy access to the most desirable attractions, including Busch Stadium, Enterprise Center, America’s Center Convention Complex and Mississippi Riverfront. For culinary lovers, St. Louis has a fantastic dining scene, offering everything from gastropubs to steakhouses.
Let’s step into the world of professional development and cultural exchange as we engage in an exclusive interview with Sarah Shively, the accomplished Human Resource Generalist from Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch.
In this interview with Sarah Shively, we shed light on the BridgeUSA J-1 Intern and Trainee Programs at Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch, a host company that opens its doors to aspiring interns and trainees from all around the world, welcoming and offering them a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the dynamic hospitality industry while embracing cultural diversity and exploring American culture.
The hotel is committed to fostering global talent and cultural exchange. Join us as we explore the invaluable role that Sarah Shively and her colleagues play in nurturing talent and creating a truly global and enriching atmosphere at Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch:
1. How does the J-1 Intern and Trainee Program align with the values and mission of the company?
At Hyatt, we care for people so they can be their best and we pride ourselves on that culture of care. Our J-1’s from year to year align amazingly with that culture as they bring their own cultures of hospitality into their day-to-day work and teach us all new ways of caring for our colleagues.
2. What do you look for in a candidate when recruiting interns and trainees?
Personality, English language skills (communicating and comprehending), we also take into account any prior experience they have in the industry.
3. How do J-1 Program participants contribute to the diversity and culture within your workplace?
They contribute greatly! Our existing staff, new hires, and guests who come through when our interns are on site always enjoy meeting them and learning from them just as they are learning from us. We are so fortunate to have such an array of culture at our property between interns and existing staff!
4. How does the experience prepare J-1 Interns & Trainees for future roles in the luxury hospitality industry?
When J-1s leave Hyatt, they have received a well-rounded experience in their emphasis area and beyond. They get to experience the hustle and bustle of full full-service convention hotel where they encounter banquets, food outlets, rooms and so much more! With the ebbs and flows of the hospitality industry, our interns are also able to assist in other areas of the hotel to enrich their experience even further.
5. What kind of training and development opportunities does your company provide to program participants?
The J-1s in the F&B department get to experience every position in every outlet within the hotel in addition to banquets! Schedules depend, they also have opportunities to pick up shifts in other areas of the hotel as well.
In the Rooms Division department, J-1 Interns get to experience the flow of a full-service front office experience from being a front-facing desk agent, to learning the phones, to assisting in rooms supervision and inspections etc… Schedules depend, they also have opportunities to pick up additional training hours in other areas of the hotel as well.
6. How does your company facilitate the integration of J-1 Interns & Trainees into the team and the community?
Our program participants begin their journey with our HR team who welcome and walk them step by step through their new paperwork, and what they need to do to get their socials, bank accounts, apartments, and anything else they need. They are then introduced to the building, their managers, and their team. Our J-1’s are also put through new hire orientation with all of our new hires from that month where they get to mingle with their peers in all departments!
7. Could you share a success story of a program participant who made a significant impact during their time with your company?
It is difficult to pick just one, but this year have a young man at our front desk who has just been a complete rock start!
He has become such a pillar at our desk and colleagues and guests alike adore him. His name is mentioned consistently in guest surveys, he is one of our top upsell and reward program agents and he always has a smile on his face. He has truly made Hyatt his home and we are so happy he was placed here with us in St. Louis!
8. What feedback have you received from J-1 participants about their experience with your company?
We have always received positive feedback from our J-1 Interns. Many of them wish to stay and we wish we could keep them all as they truly become family!
Upon their departure, we provide them with their certificate of completion, letter of verification, and anything else they need to take with them for their work in the future, schooling and others.
9. Is there anything else you'd like to share with hospitality students or professionals considering the J-1 Intern and Trainee Program?
If they have the opportunity to participate, we 100% recommend that they do. They will obtain invaluable skills, connections, and relationships that they will take with them for the rest of their lives! We can’t say thank you enough to all of our J-1 Interns & Trainees that we have hosted and we look forward to the next season!
J-1 Intern and Trainee Programs at Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch
Embark on a cultural adventure and elevate your skills in the heart of St. Louis with the J-1 Intern and Trainee Programs at Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch. In collaboration with the host company, we currently have available opportunities for programs in their Culinary and Food & Beverage Departments. Check out the available opportunities.
As an intern or trainee, you will have the chance to train alongside seasoned professionals and gain hands-on experience in a world-class kitchen and restaurant setting. Whether you are an aspiring chef who wishes to learn more about American cuisine, or a passionate hospitality professional interested in gaining international experience in the United States while managing bustling dining spaces, or curating memorable guest experiences, these J-1 Intern and Trainee Programs will provide a platform for growth and development.
Seize this opportunity to improve your hospitality skills, build lasting connections, and leave your mark in St. Louis. Join Hyatt Regency in shaping the future of hospitality at one of the city's iconic landmarks.