Rachel Wolkiewicz, a 22-year-old honors student from Richboro, Pa., came to Temple as a photojournalism major before transferring to the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. There, she helped found a student organization, held two internships and several jobs, and researched and presented a concept for genealogical tours in Philadelphia. Wolkiewicz is earning her bachelor of science in tourism and hospitality management, magna cum laude. She has already accepted a sales position with the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

TT: Describe your senior internship at Visit Bucks County.

RW: I’m a sales, marketing and events intern. I work with the woman who handles meetings, events and sports. I worked on content for the 2012 Visit Bucks County Destination Guide. I helped plan a bridal show, did some sales calls and sales missions. I went to the tourism rally in Harrisburg, which really opened my eyes to the dedication that the people in this industry have for what they do. Every mascot from Pennsylvania was there. They even had a mascot for Peeps!

TT: What other work experience do you have?

RW: My junior internship was in banquet sales at Buca di Beppo Italian restaurant. I work at Harrah’s Chester now part-time for pay because my internship is not paid. So I do 40 hours a week for credit at Visit Bucks County, and then I work another 15 to earn money. I do promotions and marketing at Harrah’s — all of the giveaways and contests.

TT: Tell me about your STHM experience and the emphasis the school places on involvement and work experience.

RW: The whole program is really what got me where I am. I just fell in love with STHM. It’s about helping people have a good time. I’m someone’s vacation. How cool is that? I joined the student association, and from there I met a girl who was starting a new student organization, Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. So I helped found a student chapter at Temple. We just had our third birthday in September.

TT: Many students describe STHM like a family. Do you agree?

RW: The staff is extraordinarily supportive of everyone. My advisor is Janet Distel, but she’s more like a good friend than an advisor. I just visited her last week. They’re interested in you, but at the same time you have to be interested in yourself. No one is going to hold your hand.

TT: Why did you want to get so involved?

RW: I just have that personality. My grandmother says when I was little she used to take me to the playground and I used to make a new friend every time I went. I would just say, “Hey, I’m Rachel. Want to be my friend today? Great! Let’s play.” So I took that part of my personality that likes to meet new people, and that lent itself to tourism.

TT: Where will you be working after graduation?

RW: The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau. I’m going to be doing tourism sales. My markets are group tours, corporate meetings and reunions. My job is all networking all the time. I’m going to be traveling to about 10 trade shows a year. This summer is really exciting because I’m going to Denver, New England and Canada.

TT: What’s your pitch for York County?

RW: York County is the factory-tour capital of the world. We have over 15 free factory tours that you can do as a family or as a group. Made in America? It’s made in York County. Harley-Davidson has a factory out there. Utz is there. Snyder’s of Hanover, watch-making, the Turkey Hill experience, and a number of independent breweries, just to name a few.

TT: What excited you about the opportunity in York?

RW: I was hesitant at first because I would have to move away from my family. But I fell in love with CVBs [convention and visitors bureaus] while working at Bucks. I never really knew what they did until I got there. What I’m doing is giving people suggestions of things they already need. You’re going to have a convention. Why not have it here? I facilitate awareness.

TT: What impact does Temple have on Pennsylvania?

RW: Temple has a really good reputation, so the further out the really driven people go, the better impact we can make. I’m going to York, and one of my goals later will be to bring more Temple interns out there. What I got is not an entry-level position by any means. I’m going in there with the expectation that I’ll pick this up really fast, which is going to be a challenge. I like challenges. I have nerves, but there’s no part of me that says I can’t do this.

— Brandon Lausch