As part of the statewide celebration for In-Demand Jobs Week from May 5-9, The Ohio State University students are showcasing their transition from academia to the professional realm. Leading into the workforce, these students, enrolled in the Hospitality Management Program, recently demonstrated their prowess in event planning with an exciting project dubbed the Big Dish event.
Held at The Stack at Municipal Light in downtown Columbus, this upscale reception is not a small operation, with around 200 attendees marking their calendars each year. And while tackling every detail, from menu planning to script writing, the students themselves, from the College of Education and Human Ecology, shine as they handle the reins of coordination. Working alongside the event sponsor, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, their tasks ranged as far across the hospitality spectrum as managing the venue, according to Ohio State News.
This practical experience serves as a crucial capstone for the students involved, who are part of an event-planning class within the Hospitality Management Program. The opportunity to take charge of the Big Dish mirrors real-world scenarios, a blend of academic theory and hands-on application that prepares them for future roles in the ever-evolving hospitality industry.
Professor Annemarie Turpin, who guided these students, underscored the complexity and scale of their undertaking. “Students coordinate every aspect of the Big Dish,” she explained via the Ohio State News, showcasing the immersive nature of their role, which culminates in a genuinely student-driven event. The highlight of the evening featured local broadcast personality Angela Pace, who was brought on stage with a script crafted by the students themselves. Emphasizing the event's significance, she praised the students' efforts with every word.
The Big Dish serves as a rite of passage and a real-world test kitchen for the hospitality leaders of tomorrow.
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