SJC Long Island proudly partnered with the Hampton Bays School District to develop a hospitality program designed to provide training to high school students for potential careers in hospitality and tourism.
“The course students are taking at the high school aligns with our HTM 100 course, so they have the option to earn three college credits,” said Gail Lamberta, Ph.D., associate dean of community development, chair and professor of recreational and leisure studies, and coordinator of experiential learning at SJC Long island.
Seven students are enrolled in the class, which is being taught by certified teachers at Hampton Bays High School.
“This semester-long course will enable students to be better prepared to enter a college program,” Dr. Lamberta said. “It will also allow them to work part time in the industry, which will provide them with real-world experience.”
Students interested in pursuing a career in hospitality and tourism management could also have a head start with their credits at SJC Long Island — the only college on Eastern Long Island with a four-year HTM program — should they choose to apply.
Creating More Hospitality Opportunities with the former Canoe Place Inn
Built in the early 1920s, the Canoe Place Inn was a historic hotel in Hampton Bays that served as a hotspot for East End vacationers — including New York City politicians and celebrities.
Now that the building is being renovated — a project St. Joseph’s College has been in support of since 2013 — students in the program will learn about the history of the Canoe Place Inn and about Hamptons tourism in general.
The program, which launched this fall, is part of the St. Joseph’s College Bridge Program (SJCBP), a resource that provides a quality curriculum to local high school students who are ready to participate in the rigor of college-level work.
“The program provides a pipeline for employment in what is now a $6 billion industry,” Dr. Lamberta said. “Students will be well qualified for careers in hospitality; the community can retain qualified employees and St. Joseph’s College can serve as a conduit, as well as increase enrollment.”
The renovation of the Canoe Place Inn also allowed for the development of a continuing education basic hospitality course at St. Joseph’s, which will be offered to adults who may be interested in working at the renovated inn.
“We will also be able to partner with the inn and have our students intern on-site, and students will be able to apply for employment at the inn,” Dr. Lamberta said.
