Juggling a full-time course load, social life and career can be a nightmare for most college students looking to graduate on time. But that’s hardly the case for SJC’s Nicole McElroy ’17.
Nicole McElroy ’17
The Deer Park, N.Y., senior is a double major in hospitality and tourism management (HTM) and marketing who also carries a minor in business administration and has already earned a certificate in advertising and public relations. Outside of class, McElroy, 20, participates in Project Sunshine, is a founding member of the HTM Club and works full-time as a sales coordinator at Discover Long Island. All this while on track to graduate a semester early (fall 2017).
As St. Joseph’s HTM program continues to blossom and make inroads into Long Island’s thriving tourism industry, it’s no wonder McElroy landed a position in her desired field of work prior to completing her bachelor’s.
“I chose to major in HTM at SJC because it was a new major and the career field interested me,” said McElroy, adding that she enjoys the hands-on and interactive nature of the field. “No day is ever the same and the opportunities are truly endless with hospitality.”
With connections from SJC Long Island’s HTM Chair Tina Ferro and partnerships with the HTM program, McElroy was first placed into an internship at Discover Long Island, the region’s official tourism promotion agency. Within three months, she was hired to work there, full-time.
“It’s all about outside networking and creating exposure,” Ferro said. “I try to be involved as much as I can to grow our HTM program and land our students jobs in the field.”
Since jumping on board full-time as a sales coordinator, McElroy works with Discover Long Island’s Meetings and Conventions Department and the Sports Commission Division, preparing materials for trade shows and attending site inspections. She also acts as a liaison between Discover Long Island members and sales managers.
