A Gen Z student's decision to spend $10,000 on a six-month internship has garnered attention and sparked curiosity.
Vincent Campanaro, a first-year student at New York University, has taken an unconventional path, traveling over 1,000 miles every weekend to work at The Ritz-Carlton Naples hotel in Florida.
The student referred to is Vincent Campanaro, a first-year student at New York University (NYU).
While many students opt for part-time jobs or internships closer to home, Campanaro has taken a different path.
Every weekend, he travels from New York to Florida, covering over 1,000 miles, to work as an intern at The Ritz-Carlton Naples Hotel.
Campanaro spends approximately $500 weekly on round-trip flights to pursue this opportunity.
Although this expense may seem substantial, he considers it reasonable, especially given the high cost of living in Naples.
However, he admits that cutting costs is not easy, recounting instances where he had to sleep at the airport or book alternative flights due to increased prices.
Campanaro will spend $10,000 on commuting during his six-month internship, despite trying to save money.
This revelation left people curious and raised a question about the reason why he was willing to spend so much money on this internship job.
To respond to this question, Campanaro explains that there are many factors influencing his decision.
According to Campanaro, the internship market is fiercely competitive, with applicants boasting perfect test scores, outstanding GPAs, and extensive backgrounds often facing disappointment.
He highlights the element of luck, emphasizing that he could have applied to countless internships across the country and still not secured one in New York.
He recognizes the rarity of his opportunity as a freshman, as internships in reputable hotels like The Ritz-Carlton are typically reserved for junior and senior students.
Therefore, despite the financial burden, Campanaro seized the chance to work at the renowned hotel.
With just one month remaining in his internship, he describes the experience as fantastic and invaluable professional development.
Through this opportunity, he has gained insights into the Ritz-Carlton's philosophy, customer centricity, and the art of anticipating guests' needs and desires.