Preparing for a career in hospitality requires more than just theory; it requires hands-on experience.
Through its longstanding partnership with Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, Bastrop ISD is giving its Hospitality and Tourism students a significant head start.
By rotating through multiple resort departments, students gain direct, firsthand exposure to the inner workings of the industry. They also graduate with their National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) General Management certification, transforming their high school pathway into a launchpad for professional success.
Inside the program: from classroom to career exploration
At Hyatt Lost Pines, students participate in a structured six-week rotation program. They shadow professionals in areas such as:
- Front desk operations
- Housekeeping
- Food and beverage
- Culinary
- Banquets
- Golf
- Concierge services
- More
Depending on the department, students may assist with tasks like greeting guests, setting tables, rolling silverware, supporting banquet setups or helping deliver food, while also learning the behind-the-scenes processes that keep the resort running. Additionally, to ensure a mastery of food safety, every student completes a Food Handler’s certification.
On Mondays, students participate in classroom-style sessions led by Hyatt Lost Pines’ talent acquisition manager, Lindiwe Williams. The sessions cover topics such as resume building, food cost calculations and what employers look for in hospitality professionals.
Those experiences are reinforced on campus, where Bastrop ISD hospitality teacher Allen Portier helps students develop the foundational skills needed to succeed in the workplace. That combination of classroom learning and real-world application helps students connect what they learn to how it applies in a professional setting.
“The students are surprised at how invested everyone is in this program and the opportunities that are offered to them, ... which is nice to see,” Portier said.
Nathan Mouser, Bastrop ISD P-TECH and College and Career Readiness school models coordinator, said the program plays a key role in preparing students for life after graduation by giving them direct exposure to industry expectations and career possibilities.
A pipeline for future talent
For Hyatt Lost Pines, the partnership offers a way to give back to the community and a way to build a future workforce.
Williams said the program allows the resort to connect with students early and introduce them to careers they may not have previously considered. The program has led to successful outcomes for students. One senior who participated in the program received a scholarship from the resort, an annual tradition, and has been hired to work there over the summer before heading to college in the fall.
“It’s rewarding to see the students grow before our eyes,” Williams said.
The resort has hired several former students over the years, and Williams frequently meets employees who were once part of the program themselves.
Over time, that has created a full-circle effect. Students gain exposure to the industry, enter the workforce and, in some cases, help guide the next group of students coming through the program.
Building confidence and opening doors
For educators like Portier, one of the most meaningful aspects of the program is watching students gain confidence.
He recalled one student who began the year quiet and reserved but gradually became more confident and independent through her experiences in the program. Even after facing setbacks, she continued showing up, staying engaged and working toward her goals.
Mouser said that by exposing students to a wide range of roles, from culinary and guest services to finance, human resources and event planning, the program helps them better understand both the industry and their own interests.
“Some of our students in this program may decide that the hospitality and tourism [industry] is not for them, and that’s okay. That’s successful too, because now our students know what they want to pursue,” Mouser said.
Looking ahead
As Bastrop ISD continues to grow, leaders hope to expand the program while maintaining its hands-on approach. This includes increasing student participation and building additional partnerships with local businesses, giving students more opportunities to explore different career paths.
Mouser said the district is eager to collaborate with businesses that want to invest in the next generation of employees.
For now, the partnership with Hyatt Lost Pines remains a strong example of how schools and local businesses can work together to prepare students for life after graduation, while strengthening the community in the process.
Click here to learn more about Bastrop ISD’s Hospitality and Tourism program today.
The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.