FAQs

The program is planned for a 14-week semester. However, flexible semester dates can be discussed with the employer and housing partner during your interview process.

• Current students attending a Sevier County, TN high school
• College students or recent graduates must be between the ages of 18-25.

There is a $100 ($50 for Sevier County residents) student participation fee which is paid online and due within 30 days of when student is hired. This fee covers operations, recruiting, marketing, website maintenance and program activities.

Housing is available for all SHIP participants in the program who need housing.   Cost is $100 – $135 per week and paid to housing management directly.  SHIP does not own housing but has contracted special rates for SHIP interns.  Beds will be reserved based on availability. Required fees and deposits for each housing facility can be found and downloaded from the
SHIP website:

SHIP Fees & Deadlines

Housing Information

It is highly recommended that a student provides their own car or transportation. While Sevier County offers a public trolley system, it is tourist-based transportation with limited routes and frequent stops. Services such as Uber and taxis are available but limited and costly.

The safety of your students is our utmost priority while they are here working in Sevier County.  During their internship, ‘keeping in touch’ is important to us. Beginning with orientation, each intern must enter SHIP’s mobile number in their contacts for communication.  We stay in touch with your students … to ensure  their experience is not only meaningful for their career, but also to provide a fun, safe environment in which they can grow and thrive!

Each housing facility has their own safety protocols in place.

• Hospitality Insights sessions are scheduled twice a semester. Interns can interact
  with each other, as well as the SHIP Team and community leaders participating
  that day. Recently, The President of The Dollywood Company, Eugene
  Naughton, shared his career experiences in an up close and personal setting.
  Interns were given time to ask questions and listen to advice in a unique
  opportunity relating to their internship experience. Afterwards, Mr .Naughton
  hosted a lunch at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort followed by a fun-filled day at
  Dollywood’s Theme Park. What an incredible opportunity to spend time with an
  industry leader!
• Program Activities – SHIP plans monthly groups activities for interns who chose
  to participate in their leisure time. Most recently, we hosted interns at our AA
  Tennessee Smokies baseball game in our private suite. What an excellent time for
  interns to get to know one another!
• SHIP’s business partners bring their interns to various meetings and events that
  are held during the semester. Such as:
  Annual Mayor’s Luncheon
  Chamber events
  Business After Hours Events
  Hospitality & Lodging monthly meetings