Students sample Hershey opportunities in alumna-arranged tours

Twenty-six Penn College business and hospitality students trekked to Hershey on April 8 to tour facilities and learn more about working for the world-famous Pennsylvania chocolate company’s related tourist attractions. Six students are interning for the company in summer 2022, and the company welcomed the group with an eye for recruiting more employees. The field trip was arranged by Chef Victoria Kostecki, who earned Penn College degrees in baking and pastry arts in 2014 and applied management in 2016. It included a tour of Hersheypark Stadium, where the group was led by food and beverage warehouse manager Brandon Snook; three food stands within Hersheypark; lunch at Coaster Café, where Rob Gordon, director of food and beverage, spoke briefly about season-to-season menu changes at the park and at the company’s Giant Center; and tours of Chocolatier, Milton’s and Sweeterie, where Chef Ben King ’14 (culinary arts and systems) spoke to students about menu planning, including how he worked with supervisors and other managers. King and Kostecki are sous chefs with the company. Coaster Café is run by Hailey Brunk, who earned degrees in hospitality management in 2008 and technology management in 2014.
Photo by Brian D. Walton, assistant dean of business and hospitality