2026 Hospitality Internship

Serving Lancaster County Since 1929!

Few companies can claim over 95 years in business, but we can at Thomas E. Strauss, Inc. We owe our ongoing success to our exceptional staff and solid management team who are dedicated to excellent guest experiences.

Thomas E. Strauss, Inc., is a local family-owned hospitality group. Our businesses include Miller’s Smorgasbord, Miller’s Bakery, The Quilt Shop at Miller’s, Locally Made Food Shop, Anna’s Gifts & Sundries, Plain & Fancy Farm, AmishView Inn and Suites, Smokehouse BBQ and Brews, and The Barn & Hearth Shop.

Our Mission: Make people feel valued.

Our Values: Diversity, Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, Community and FUN!

Summer Internships for Postsecondary Degree Students

• Gain hands-on, real-world experience in hospitality management with a family-owned hospitality group.
• See the diversity of the businesses that make up hospitality including retail, hotel and restaurant.
• Build upon your education by learning the industry from the ground up alongside a dedicated team focused on enhancing the guest experience.

Internship Description

This internship is expected to provide a well-rounded experience for all skill levels and interests and is customized to your career path. This experience includes real world, hands-on opportunities within retail, hotel and restaurants with exposure to corporate services including finance, human resources, marketing, and sales. The internship will incorporate a capstone project that will foster industry-specific skills and soft skill development.

Objectives:

• Gain fresh perspectives on guest services and operational areas.
• Soft skill development in communication, problem solving, teamwork, etc.
• Understand flow and collaboration between departments/business units.
• Gain practical, hands-on experiences in multiple operational areas.
• Execute a capstone project to capture learning and growth by participating in the internship.

Here’s what we offer to you:  

• Competitive pay
• Excellent benefit package and employee perks.

What we expect from you:

• A friendly, professional demeanor towards coworkers and guests – after all our mission is to make people feel valued. 
• Self-starter who owns the responsibility of the role. 
• Show up to work on time, with a positive attitude ready to work and learn.
• Commitment to our values of diversity, integrity, excellence, accountability, community, and FUN.
• An interest in working in hospitality after graduation.

All applications are due by April 15, 2026.  All internship openings will be determined and offered by May 15, 2026.  The internship start date must be no later than June 16, 2026.

Hotel Internships:  Two positions available

Housekeeping Department Basics: Mentorship with Managers and/or Supervisors to learn all the basics of service.

• Laundry
• Guest Rooms
• Public Spaces
• Event Setup/Tear Downs
• Inventory, Ordering, Receiving and Storage

Breakfast & Kitchen Basics: Mentorship with Kitchen Manager to learn all aspects of successful kitchen performance, including flow of food, quality, consistency and safety.

• Safety and Sanitation
• Food Prep
• Positions: Open Cook, Dish, Grill
• Food Ordering and Receiving
• Food Costs
• Spend one to two days in one of our sister restaurants to experience a larger scale operation

Front Desk & Guest Service Basics: Mentorship with General Manager and/or Guest Service Manager to become familiar and learn the basics of the hotel front desk position.

• Answering Phones
• Making and Canceling Reservations
• Guest Interactions and Guest Recovery
• Interdepartmental Communications

Business Management: Mentorship with General Manager and/or Assistant General Manager will give you an opportunity to learn financial strategies of operating a successful hotel.

• Scheduling (Weekly and Daily)
• Revenue Management
• Budgeting and Pace Reports
• Leadership Traits and Values
• Recognizing Right Job Fit when Hiring

Restaurant Internships: Four positions available

Front of the House Basics: Mentorship with General Manager and/or Guest Services Manager to learn customer service, menu knowledge, server seating rotations, and family-style group service.

• Hosting
• Food Running/Bussing
• Serving
• Group Serving

Back of the House Basics: Mentorship with Kitchen Manager to learn kitchen operations including food production, maintaining quality and recipe standards, controlling food waste and ensuring guest satisfaction.

• Food Ordering and Receiving
• Food Prep
• Line Setup
• Line/Production Cooking
• Safety and Sanitation Standards

Beverage Management: Mentorship with Manager to become familiar with the alcohol offerings of the restaurant, learn the basics of beer, wine, and spirits and become efficient with beverage management.

• Alcohol Inventory and Ordering
• PA Liquor Laws/RAMP Certification
• Beer/Wine Cocktail Demos
• Develop seasonal cocktail menu
• Bar Setup/Breakdown/Service

Retail Operations: Mentorship with a Retail Manager will give you an opportunity to learn about retail operations with a focus on guest interactions.

• Cash Register Sales Transactions
• Guest Communications 
• Restocking and Inventory Management
• Importance of Product Knowledge
• Exposure to product sampling

Business Management: Mentorship with the General Manager will give you an opportunity to learn day-to-day operations and financial strategies.

• Running Shifts
• Scheduling (Weekly/Daily)
• Staffing Plans and Recruitment
• Inventory/Food Cost
• Budgeting/Monthly Counts

Putting it All Together: Based on your career path and interests, you may choose one of the following business units.  

• AmishView Inn & Suites
• Smokehouse BBQ and Brews
• Miller's Smorgasbord Restaurant

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Intern must participate for a minimum of 8 weeks
• Must be flexible and adaptable within a fast-paced atmosphere
• Willingness to learn all facets of a hospitality business
• Ability to interact with guests and provide great guest experience
• Must be a team player
• Strong communication skills
• Must be able to manage time wisely
• Ability to display a positive attitude at all times
• Deliver a high quality of work to ensure we are providing top notch service