Allison Minney, a West Virginia University Potomac State College student from Alum Creek, W.Va., completed her BTEC 225 Direct Experience this past summer at Dollywood Splash Country in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
“I was one of eight interns from across the United States chosen for this position and couldn’t have been more thrilled about the experience,” Minney said. “It was the summer of a lifetime! I worked with the public and gained valuable leadership experience, but most of all, I made many new friendships and created lifelong memories.”
Minney worked in various departments throughout the summer, including House and Grounds, Hospitality, and Timesaver H2O. The overall objectives were to ensure the cleanliness of the park, customer service, and manage the attraction lines.
Other tasks included hosting holiday parties for the employees, helping the band set up during one of their events, organizing a water safety day for guests, and completing a final project on a topic that could be beneficial for the park and their guests.
By focusing on areas of the park where she worked and observing guests’ interactions around the park, Minney was able to create the topics for her final project and presentation. Her topics included wait times at different venues, allergen information for food throughout the park, and the possibility of purchasing items within the app rather than going to Dollywood.com.
"Allison brought a positive attitude, an impressive work ethic, and a true passion for Dollywood to her Dollywood's Splash Country Hospitality Internship Program this past summer,” said Senior Operations Manager Lauren Lowery. “Having strong interns like Allison in our program illustrates the bright future the Hospitality industry has, and we are happy she chose to spend her internship with us! We look forward to building on her experience, knowing that her success will inspire future interns and help continue to elevate the caliber of talent we attract in the years ahead."
Interns were also provided with classes once a week to strengthen their business skills and provide them with information regarding different leadership styles, what makes a company or manager trustworthy, and how to build bonds with coworkers.
According to PSC Professor Amy Weaver, this aligns with the 135 hours of work experience that students must complete as part of their BTEC 225 coursework.
“This hands-on experience allows students to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting while gaining valuable on-the-job training and mentorship. Through this opportunity, students develop practical skills, build professional connections, and gain insight into potential career paths, enhancing their readiness for the workforce,” Weaver said.
Prior to her internship, Minney had visited the park many times, giving her first-hand experience as a guest and utilizing that knowledge for her project and PowerPoint presentation. Her research to improve the Dollywood app's overall function for the waterpark entailed exploring other park apps, talking to guests about their thoughts on improving the app, and consulting experts.
As a Potomac State College student, Minney has been involved in various on-campus activities including participation the College’s Student Government Association, serving as the social media manager for the Esports team, and volunteering her time to help others.
"I chose Potomac State because it provided me with a smaller on-campus experience, as well as being a Mountaineer like my brothers," Minney said. “I learned that keeping a good schedule and enjoying time with friends, while still focusing on schoolwork, helped me maintain a healthy balance that I can take with me into the workforce.”
After graduating in May 2026 with her bachelor's degree in business management, Minney plans to find work in the human resources field and one day return to college to earn a master’s degree in business administration with a focus on human resources.
Minney will not have to wait long to gain experience in the human resources field. At the end of the spring semester, she will serve as a human resources intern for the NASCAR SpeedPark in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
For information regarding the business management degree, or any other programs offered at WVU Potomac State College, contact the Office of Enrollment Services at Go2PSC@mail.wvu.edu or at 304-788-6820.