Six Flags, Inc. announced last week that its philanthropic arm—Six Flags Friends—is partnering with The Cornell School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University to launch The Six Flags Friends Apprentice Program. The program is an educational development package that combines a traditional financial scholarship with apprentice-style learning.
According to Six Flags, this elite program will offer one outstanding hospitality management student the opportunity to work and train alongside some of the best and brightest in the theme park business. The Six Flags apprenticeship will offer real world applications designed to supplement the student’s academic courses with hands-on, day-to-day responsibilities.The program is designed to couple in-park experiences with strategic planning and analysis in an effort to create an all encompassing look at park operations.
The recipient will be able to choose from one of 18 domestic Six Flags properties and will spend the 2009 summer season engaged in all operational aspects of the park’s business. Additionally, the student will receive a full tuition, one semester scholarship to be used towards obtaining his or her degree at Cornell University. Six Flags will also assume the cost of the student’s summer room and board, including a meal stipend allowance.
“The students of The Cornell School of Hotel Administration represent our future hospitality industry leaders and we are excited to provide this opportunity for a unique glimpse into the world of theme parks,” said Jessica King, director of Six Flags Friends. “Today’s students are ambitious and driven, but are also faced with the realistic stresses of a challenging economy. This program allows Cornell students to use our parks as a distinctive platform to seek insight into their future careers while supplementing their educational experiences.”
Application Information
Students in their freshman, sophomore, or junior year at Cornell University are eligible to apply for the opportunity. Applications for the 2009 program are being accepted now through February 13, 2009 and are available for download at www.sixflags.com/apprentice.
Six Flags executives, in partnership with a selection committee of Cornell University faculty, will review all applications and conduct finalist interviews by March 9, 2009. Students will be considered based on academic merit, industry-related experience, and recommendations.
