Category Archives: Internships

It’s officially closing weekend in Vail, and I am packing up all the loose files and items that have scattered my desk space for nearly a year. I remember my first week with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals pretty well – it was the end of summer, gorgeous, and somewhat quiet in the Valley. I was itching for the sensation of feeling small, and my immersion into mountains seemed to be an accurate solution to fill this fix.

On Monday, this small mountain village will again crawl into a time of low-key hibernation, just as our neighboring bears are being drawn to the sweet smell of our trash. It’s a time for towns like Vail to rest, evaluate progress, transition, welcome our shared land to the wildlife, and melt into warm beginnings.

It does feel appropriate that today is my last with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals. It has been quite the trip throughout this past Fall, Winter, and Spring, in which I have seen a lot of changes in the weather, industry trends, clothing ensembles, outdoor activities, and people.

When you become a local to the Valley, sometimes it seems like faces pass like the clouds that bring snow, rain, and clarity. The mountains certainly do attract individuals with unique stories – whether they are on vacation from another part of the globe,

whether they came with a 2 year plan that turned into 20 (which really never surprises me), or whether Vail had to at least be one place to stop at for a while along the road… All of these scenarios share a common ground – a thirst for adventure.

Throughout my time working with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, I have made many new friends, been enlightened by every individual’s unique story, gained knowledge of media relations for a private company, and had the pleasure of highlighting our successes. I must say, however, one of my favorite assignments was managing content for the company bios, interviewing new hires, and simply getting to know everyone. Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals is comprised of people that are driven, a little bit quirky, and absolutely sincere. Each story is different.

The seasonal nature of this town is a bittersweet reminder of transition. As I embark on new beginnings with the start of summer trickling into the mountains, I will not lose sight of the many lessons that someone like Tommy Z. Hoffman himself has taught me. Never cut yourself too short when it comes to compromise, and never cut yourself too short in taking a chance.

In the first blog I published in August for the company, I concluded my thoughts with “We are a team of friendly, knowledgeable, locals, and are eager to assist those of you with that itch to venture out here too.” Take a chance in the Colorado Rockies, and please support my good friends when you book with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals!

Company Culture.  Something Business School taught me about, but I had never truly experienced for myself, until I accepted an event planning internship at RMVR last November.

I’ve always known that the corporate culture is not designed for me, and likely never will be.  Lucky for me, I found the exact opposite of that working at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals,  a small, growing, and extremely hardworking company headquartered in dreamy Vail, Colorado.  Today, I look around our office and I see a group of passionate individuals working together to constantly improve themselves, their services, and the work environment around them.  Who wouldn’t like working at a company that encourages you to come in a couple hours late during the ski season so you can catch the first runs on a powder day?  RMVR was founded by Tommy Hoffman, a man defining the Entrepreneur classification.  Working for an entrepreneur you quickly learn that no idea is too far out there and if you have valid input, let your voice be heard.  Around here no day is the same; it’s beautiful.

My happiness and reason for working here breaks down to the company culture Hoffman has created. Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals employs some of the brightest, most creative people I have ever worked with.  Everybody brings something different to the table and meshed together it creates an environment where everyone is constantly learning and furthering their professional growth, all while having a good time.  I never dread going to work in the morning at RMVR, andI don’t know that many people can say the same about their job…  I’m happy to have found a place that feels like family and I enjoy being here day after day.    Cheers to RMVR, a  company that knows how to work hard and play hard.

RMVR Interns- Winter 2010

Important background information

Please read before submitting a cover letter and resume.

PhoCus Wright Report

HSMAI Marketing

Summer 2010 – Fall 2010 – Spring 2011

Internships in Vail, CO

Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals (RMVR) is currently accepting applications for our Summer and Fall 2010 internship program from Real Estate, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Travel and Tourism, Hospitality, Advertising, English, Business Administration, Finance, and similar majors.

Interns at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals gain valuable work experience in a fast-paced environment where you will research, implement, and receive professional guidance for your project(s). You will learn through hands-on experience, all while living in the exciting Vail Valley where you will also find time to hike, bike, raft, fish, go ZipLining, and more!

The submission deadline for Fall 2010 submissions is August 6, 2010, although the sooner you submit the better. Summer 2010 – we decided to increase our Intern staff by 6 people se we are looking for interns immediately to help expedite our growth for the Summer , 2010

Good luck, and watch for details regarding our Fall 2010 internship program.

To Apply:

Please email cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Please include why you would be the ideal candidate and how you can use your education and experiences to contribute to the company.

For Credit:

Hired interns must meet University requirements to obtain credit, minimum 2 to 3  credit hours for any season. Please visit http://careerservices.colorado.edu/students/jobs.aspx for more information.

Dates:

Internships vary year round and seasonally; but we aim to fill all current available positions based on the following dates:

Summer 2010 – 3 plus months  – June to August / September

Fall 2010 - 4 months, Start: August / Sept. till December ( Approx. Wk Before Christmas. )

Spring 2011  - 4- 5 months, January 1 – May 31

Summer 2011 – 3 months, May or June through  August or September

Internship Benefits:

All get to participate in activities for free or at a substantial discount:

White Water Rafting

Zip-Lining

Wine Bottling (May/June) and Wine making stomping ( August/September)

Camping

Paint Ball

FREE Concerts

·         Gift Certificates at 50% offered at local sporting goods store (ex: you pay $50 and receive a $100 gift certificate)

·         Discounts to family members at cost plus admin fee for immediate family members

·         Ski passes are reimbursed dependent upon internship level (Additional lift tickets that come with merchant passes belong to company)

All terms and conditions of the internship are subject to change based on company growth, reviews, and other variables.

Levels of Internships:

All levels of internships can lead directly into a position or a position upon graduation. Positions and elevation into career tracking positions will be dependent on the growth and expansion of the company.

1) Part Time – 3 – 6 Months Commitment – Project basis – 15 -25 Hours a week

(Requires minimum 50% of hours completed in the office)

§ No Housing available

§ Gift Certificates at 50% offered at local sporting goods store (ex: you pay $50 and receive a $100 gift certificate)

§ Ski Pass – reimbursed at fulfilling a 6 month commitment or 50% of merchant pass cost as a credit towards an Epic Pass

§ Vacation Rentals- Discounts to family members at cost plus admin fee for immediate family members is available after 2 months

§ 6 times a year – Cook outs for the entire office staff.

§ Extraordinary environment to work in all aspects of hospitality, reservations, and marketing.

§ Free Year Round Concerts: http://www.vvf.org/vvf/info/events.entertainment.hotsummernights.aspx

§ Build your resume while living in the greatest mountain valley!

2) Full Time – Internship- 3 – 12 Months Commitment –Minimum 3 months -  Project based – 45 Hours a week (Requires full time at the office)

§ Housing offered or you can live on your own – shared bedrooms (2 people per room)

§ After 6 months, own bedroom as long as you are moving into a career tracking position. Full time internships can last up to a year but without moving to career tracking there is no guarantee of a separate bedroom.

§ Gift Certificates at 50% offered at local sporting goods stores up to $250 (you pay $100, get a $200 gift certificate)

§ Ski Pass – reimbursed fulfilling commitment of 3-5 , months, or 50% of Merchants’ Pass cost as a credit towards an Epic Pass

§ Vacation Rentals- Discounts to Family Members at Cost plus admin Fee for Immediate family Members offered after 2 months

§ 6 times a year – Cook out for entire office staff. Interns and Business Development Team

§ Free Year Round Concerts: http://www.vvf.org/vvf/info/events.entertainment.hotsummernights.aspx

§ Health Club Membership – 4 star Hotel Membership offered to you at $55 a month, after 30 days with RMVR/RMLP

3) Career Tracking - 6 – 12 Months Commitment – 45 Hours a week PLUS

Decision made within 2 to 6 months of hire

§ Housing offered or you can live on your own – private bedroom dependent upon availability

§ Officially part of the future team

§ Expense stipend after 6 – 12 months upon review and successful progress within the company

§ Gift Certificates at 50% offered at local sporting goods up to $500

§ Ski pass – reimbursed at end of 3-5 month’s fulfilling commitment or 50% of merchants pass Cost as a credit towards Epic Pass

§ Vacation Rentals- Discounts to family members at cost plus admin fee for immediate family members offered after 2 months.

§ 6 times a year – Cook outs for the entire office staff

§ Free Year Round Concerts: http://www.vvf.org/vvf/info/events.entertainment.hotsummernights.aspx

§ Health Club Membership – 4 star Hotel Membership offered to you at $55 a month, after 3o days with RMVR/RMLP

4) Career tracking Plus: 12 months- 6 – 12 Months Commitment –– 45 Hours a week PLUS + PLUS

i.      Decision made 2 to 6 months after hire

ii.      Possibility to become part or a revenue share or earn commissions depending on your direction

§ Management position obtained

§ Title achieved

§ Living expenses stipend increased after 12 months: varies depending on company growth, budget, and your success within the company

§

§ Housing offered or you can live on your own – your own bedroom or the equivalent of the cost of RMVR’s Housing will be paid directly to you for a credit to your own housing decisions

§ Gift certificates at 50% offered at local sporting goods up to $1,000

§ Ski Pass – reimbursed at end of 3-5 month commitment fulfilled, or 50% of Merchant pass cost as a credit towards your Epic Pass

§ Vacation Rentals- Discounts to family members at cost plus admin fee for immediate family members offered after 2 months.

§ 6 times a year – Cook outs for the entire office staff

§ Free Year Round Concerts, for example: http://www.vvf.org/vvf/info/events.entertainment.hotsummernights.aspx

§ Health Club Membership – 4 star Hotel Membership offered to you at $55 a month, after 3o days with RMVR/RMLP

Letter from owner and founder, Tommy Z. Hoffman:

Dear candidate,

There are ample opportunities for growth in many directions within our company. As the company grows it needs intelligent, fun-loving people that have passion for what they do. The one benefit that cannot be quantified for our Career Tracking Plus internship is that a stock plan will be put into place. Based on your tenure with the company you will be automatically vested in the stock plan if you are still working for the company. When a share arrangement is derived, if you have been with the company for three years, you will receive additional shares or an equivalent reward based on the time you have been with the company.

There is no guarantee, as we are a small business on the verge of exponential growth, but this is my hope to put in place once the company is in the position to add this benefit. We are a rapidly growing business- take a look around our website to see where we have been successful as well as our growth initiatives.

Tommy Z. Hoffman

Intern Positions Available:

Seeking the following majors and/or experience with:

·         MBA students a plus

·         Dual majors are a plus

·         Business Administration

·         Entrepreneurship Communication, Entrepreneurial & Marketing

·         Real Estate

·         Finance

·         Communications

·         Journalism , Public Relations and Mass Communication

·         English and Writing

·         Advertising

·         Marketing

·         Web Marketing – SEO – SEM

·         Media

·         Web Design

·         Graphic Design

·         Film – Photographers and Videographers

·         Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, and Resort management ( Dual Majors )

Web and Graphic Design:

·         Experience with graphic design, layout design, and CSS

·         JAVA, video/photography a plus but not required.

·         Experience with formatting images for web, Photoshop, illustrator, Dreamweaver, and similar programs

·         Interest in the outdoors, travel, hospitality, or similar industries.

·         Currently studying for a degree in Graphic design, web design, or similar majors.

·         Must be completing university junior year, senior, or recent graduate

·         Interest in the outdoors, travel, hospitality, or similar industries.

Additionally:

·         Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers as well as current, potential, and past clients.

·         Advanced knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, and In Design.

·         Dedicated to finishing deadlines on time- time management skills are very important.

·         Listens to and works with management to reach goals as well as get the most out of the position.

·         Experience with formatting images for web, combining creativity with marketing goals.

·         Interest in the outdoors, travel, hospitality, or similar industries.

·         Graphic design, web design, or similar majors.

·         Must be completing university junior year, senior, or recent graduate.

Job Duties:

·         Updating the company website, working on client projects.

·         Building and improving SEM (search engine marketing) and SEO (search engine optimization).

·         Graphic design- web and some print

Marketing and Media Intern

·         Must be a university level Junior, Senior, or recent graduate majoring in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Sales, Public Relations, or a related field.

·         Experience in creating marketing materials such as brochures, flyers, etc.

·         Experience in developing messages based upon research and target audiences.

·         Proficiency in Microsoft Office. Other helpful programs, but not required, are: Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, and more.

·         Must be a creative, responsible, and reliable candidate who will take control and develop the project beyond given guidelines.

·         Excellent written and oral communications skills.

·         Working knowledge of SEO (search engine optimization) and SEM (search engine marketing.

Writing and Social Media Intern:

·         Must be a university level sophomore or junior majoring in Communications, Creative Writing, Marketing, Advertising, Sales, Public Relations, or a related field.

·         Must LOVE writing, as this will be the primary job function.

·         Experience in writing blogs, news and creative articles, marketing collateral, editorials, and similar materials.

·         Must be creative and resourceful in finding new and relevant topics to write about.

·         Computer (minimum Microsoft Office) and, desktop publishing, and editing skills.

·         Bi-lingual a plus, not required.

·         Experience with photography, caption, and copy writing helpful.

·         SEO (search engine optimization) and SEM (search engine marketing) knowledge will make you an ideal candidate, but is not required.

Public Relations and Communications Intern:

·         Must be a university level junior, senior, or recent graduate majoring in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Writing, or a related field.

·         SEO (search engine optimization) and SEM (search engine marketing) knowledge will make you an ideal candidate, but is not required.

·         News and press release writing experience. Knowledge and practice of AP Style required.

·         Research and strategic planning experience.

·         Computer (minimum Microsoft Office) and, desktop publishing, and editing skills.

·         Bi-lingual a plus, not required.

·         Event experience (planning, volunteering, or managing) helpful.

·         Relevant courses completed (i.e.: Marketing, advertising, news writing, speech, etc.)

Real Estate Intern:

·         Participating in market research and analyses.

·         Applying computer skills to real estate and general office functions.

·         Learn about Fractional Real Estate, research Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen, Snowmass, Summit County, and other new markets that RMVR is planning its next stage of growth into.

·         Preparing portfolios (property briefs) of prospective properties.

·         Developing and maintaining lists of properties for follow-up mailings and contact by the regular staff.

·         Creating and coordinating list of vacation Renters and contacting Fractional Properties to list potential buyers as clients.

·         Performing general functions (These might include, for example, showing apartments for rental, assisting associates at open houses, telephone answering assignments, maintaining records and clerical work on listings, bringing comparable files up-to-date, or handling direct mail, etc.)

·         Heavy involvement in the building of content for www.RockyMountainLuxuryProperties .com.

·         Involvement in the monthly newsletter and weekly direct emails to over 10,000 potential clients.

·        Interest, degree in Real Estate or holding your license with an unrelenting Passion to learn and grow with the Fractional Real Estate Market which will be the biggest growth in Vacation Rental Sales over the next ten years.

Videography Intern:

·         Current junior, senior, or recent graduate seeking a degree in Communications, Visual Arts, Media, or similar major with a strong level of interest in Videography.

·         Marketing, advertising, documentary, and creative video work experience helpful.

·         Ability to communicate effectively with managers, clients, and to manage time effectively.

·         Ability to produce video from raw footage to final edits while keeping the business’s marketing strategies and goals in mind.

·         Can apply your creative touch to produce promotional videos that include your style and invoke interest.

·         Seeking an extremely responsible individual! Selected candidate will be traveling long distances to film but will be held accountable for daily, weekly, and long-term projects!

·         Must have a work hard play hard mentality.

·         Passionate for thinking out of the box and wanting to create the most fascinating Viral Marketing Campaign through your video or the capture of other videographers enthusiast by adding their videos in a book you help implement and design as an addition to the Vacation Rental website that will produce thousands of entries to post from avid winter skiers, snowboarders around the globe to submit their work for inclusion on the RMVR website. Passion to learn and grow in this concept company and as a team player.

Photography Intern:

·         Current junior, senior, or recent graduate seeking a degree in Communications, Visual Arts, Media, or similar major with a strong level of interest in Photography.

·         Photography work experience helpful, minimum student coursework with a developed portfolio.

·         Ability to communicate effectively with managers, clients, and to manage time effectively and on your own.

·         Ability to produce and edit photos- add your creativity and artistic touch while coordinating the company’s marketing strategies and brand.

·         Marketing and advertising experience is helpful.

·         Must have a work hard play hard mentality.

·         You must have advanced knowledge of Photoshop and editing for Web.

·         Must possess visual, communication, technical, AND business skills.

·         Experience:

·         Love for thinking out of the box and wanting to create the most fascinating Viral Marketing Campaign through your photography or the capture of other photography enthusiast by adding their photos in a book you help implement and design as an addition to the Vacation Rental website that will produce thousands of entries to post from avid winter skiers, snowboarders around the globe to submit their work for inclusion on the RMVR website. You have a passion to learn and grow in this concept company and be a member who works closely with their team.

Finance Intern:

·         Current junior, senor, or recent graduate seeking a degree in Business Finance, Accounting, or a similar major with a strong level of interest in Business Operations and Capital Management.

·         Financial accounting, sales, marketing, and operations experience or equivalent education required.

·         Experience with preparing monthly reconciliations, month-end close processes, support with auditing, and various filing and clerical tasks as directed.

·         Must be able to analyze financial questions and problems.

·         Excellent oral and written communications skills.

·         Ability to work and independently and as a team is vital.

·         Highly motivated individual- ideal candidate will have a work hard and play hard mentality.

·         Proficient with Microsoft Office, especially Excel.

·         Desire to work with private investors, venture capitalist in the preparation of a extensive 100 page Business plan.