Students studying hospitality and event management at Colorado State University learn about an industry known for its global presence, from hotel and resort management careers to event planning. Ilkhomiddin Nabijonov, a student from Uzbekistan in the program, a part of CSU’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, has developed his skills to a new level while establishing his place in a global field.
Currently working as an operations intern at the Grand Hyatt Denver hotel this summer, Nabijonov’s goal is to expand his abilities through this opportunity, from working multiple positions at the hotel, to building interpersonal skills that are integral to careers in hospitality and management.
Nabijonov said that several things contributed to his decision to study at CSU. “One of them is that specifically the Hospitality and Event Management Program ranks high among the other programs of U.S. universities,” he said. “The other is, of course, nature. It is very beautiful here in Colorado.”
Nabijonov chose the program because of the many career opportunities in the field of hospitality after he graduates, especially in such a large industry.
“Graduates can find employment in hotels, resorts, event planning companies, convention centers, tourism organizations, and more. The industry is known for its global presence and potential for career growth,” Nabijonov said.
Working at the Grand Hyatt Denver
One of the biggest benefits of working at the Grand Hyatt Denver hotel is being able to work in positions for a large and prestigious hotel and gaining world-class experience thanks to the professionals working at the luxury chain, something Nabijonov expressed he “was very happy about.”
Prior to this summer internship, Nabijonov said that he took some basic introductory classes on hospitality management in his freshman year. The position as an operations intern at the Grand Hyatt hotel is another learning opportunity in the field, supplementing his knowledge gained in the classroom.
In his position at the Grand Hyatt Denver, Nabijonov works between multiple rotating responsibilities throughout the summer.
“I am in the rooms division right now. My responsibility at work is to do inspections over the rooms: Making sure the rooms are ready for the guest to come in and get Grand Hyatt experience,” Nabijonov said. “But before doing that I was trained as a room attendant, lobby porter, and houseman.”
Nabijonov said that his favorite part of his internship is being surrounded by industry professionals and networking with them to learn more about the opportunities in the industry.
Equally as important to the tangible skills he has learned so far in his time at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Nabijonov mentions interpersonal skills, and how this program will help him develop those skills.
“Hospitality and event management require strong interpersonal and communication skills. And I enjoy working with people, building relationships, and solving problems,” Nabijonov said. “That’s why I am attracted to this field — It offers opportunities to interact with diverse individuals and manage teams effectively.”
The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is a part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
