College of Charleston Scholarship Opens Doors to Hospitality

When Chase Hirshorn was looking at universities as a high schooler in Rhode Island, the College of Charleston stood out.  

“There are not a lot of schools with a hospitality and tourism management major,” explains the rising senior, adding that it helped that the College is located in a city that repeatedly makes the top tourist destination lists. 

Hirshorn, who is also a marketing minor, loves all the variables that go into an event and how each experience is different. Her classes gave her perspective on multiple aspects of the hospitality industry, from finance and accounting to economics and business law.  

Her sophomore year, Hirshorn found the perfect college job as a banquet server at the nearby Francis Marion Hotel. She appreciated the encouragement and support she received from the team and getting to see the behind-the-scenes action.  

As she built her knowledge of and experience in the hospitality industry, receipt of the Palmetto Hospitality Endowed Scholarship gave her the assurance that she was on the right path. 

Encouraged by the vote of confidence, Hirshorn decided to participate in the Semester at Sea for her study abroad experience. She wanted to gain insights into the international hospitality and tourism industry and receive the broadest experience possible. 

“We got to see hospitality in action on the ship — food and beverage service, the hotel and the entertainment,” says Hirshorn. “Plus, we experienced hospitality tourism on three continents, which added perspective to the whole program.” 

As a food blogger in Charleston, Hirshorn took great pleasure in sampling culinary tourism; learning how to make paella in Spain really stood out. 

Back at the College, Hirshorn, who had taken an events management class with Jeremy Clement, hospitality and tourism management internship coordinator and senior instructor, secured a job as a banquet server at the William Aiken House, which she had toured as part of Clement’s class and had valued how organized the team there was.  

“In my position, I get to see the intricacies of event management,” says Hirshorn. “I really enjoy the variety of events that take place and learning the processes behind them.” 

To Clement, everything Hirshorn is doing is setting her up for success.

“The experience Chase is gaining is invaluable,” he says. “Receiving the scholarship shows that industry partners are willing to invest in her, which validates her career path.”