Simmy Ramchandani, '24, wasn’t sure what the future would hold for her after graduating high school.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was an average student,” the 22-year-old, from Harleysville said. “I didn’t find myself loving any subject or course in school. What I loved doing was working at a retirement community, serving and helping residents. I was seeing the same people. I wanted to brighten their day, get to know them and make life a little better for them.”

When she enrolled at Montgomery County Community College in the fall of 2021, she learned about the Tourism and Hospitality Management program and thought might be a perfect fit for her. From her first class with Hospitality Management Associate Professor Shawn Murray, she knew she made the right choice because of the internship opportunities where she could learn about the hospitality industry through a real-world, hands-on experience.

“He asked me where I wanted to go in the summer,” said Ramchandani. “I said the beach because I always want to be in a warm environment. So, he recommended a summer internship on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts. It sounded amazing. I was nervous to be so far away from home, but it ended up being one of the most amazing three months of my life.”

That internship and another one after, set her up for success. Today she is an MCCC alumna, who’s set to graduate from Temple University this spring. She has already landed a full-time job with a prestige hotel group that’s guaranteed her a management position once she’s finished her degree.

Ramchandani credits MCCC for helping her find her passion, putting her on a thrilling career path through exciting, hands-on internships and supporting her every step of the way.

Finding her calling

In the summer of 2022, after her first year at MCCC, Ramchandani landed the internship at a golf club in the Sconset area of Nantucket Island. For the next three months she worked with students from all over the world as part of the dining services staff. The paid internship included housing and meals on the island.

“I lived in a dorm with 15 people and shared a room with two other girls from Ohio,” she said. “I met people from the U.K., Croatia, the Dominican Republic. I was making connections with people from around the world. It was amazing.”

Working 40-60 hours a week, the internship helped her gain management experience. She learned about inventory, she trained employees and helped plan events, all in addition to her serving responsibilities with the dining staff. She also learned a bit about herself in the process.

“The experience showed me how strong I can be,” said Ramchandani, “and I can handle working in the hospitality industry.”

Moving up the ladder

Coming back to MCCC in the fall, Ramchandani talked to Murray again about her plans for the future. She was moving to an apartment in Philadelphia and would be studying primarily online, but she needed a job. Impressed by her internship performance that summer, Murray connected her with another great internship opportunity at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, a four-star hotel in Rittenhouse Square.

“They were looking for a front desk agent,” said Ramchandani. “They were only looking to hire someone full-time, but because of their relationship with Professor Murray, they interviewed me and liked my demeanor.”

Ramchandani got the job, but she found balancing work and a full course load challenging at first. However, as she became more confident in her role, she adjusted her schedule, allowing her to work fewer days during the school year and increase her hours over the summer.

“That’s when I saw myself improve,” she said.

Ramchandani graduated from MCCC with an associate degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management in August 2024 and was able to seamlessly transfer to Temple University’s Tourism and Hospitality and Event Management program. In May 2025, she is scheduled to graduate with her bachelor’s degree. For her last semester, she’s working a full-time internship at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar in the manager-in-training program. She’ll spend seven weeks learning about housekeeping and then the final seven weeks in sales, rounding out her education in the hotel business.

“I wouldn’t have gotten into the manager-in-training program without Montco and Professor Murray,” said Ramchandani. “He got the ball rolling. He made the connection and vouched for me. He built a lot of confidence in me throughout all of it.”

“Simmy is an amazing leader and as a MCCC Tourism & Hospitality Management student truly set the standard for how to navigate a successful academic career moving into a corporate position,” said Murray. “Our industry partners are such a critical piece of the experience Tourism & Hospitality Management students have at the College, and I am so proud of Simmy as she launches her leadership journey.”

After graduation, Ramchandani will be work in a managerial position with the Kimpton Hotel group. She said she plans to travel to a new city (probably somewhere warm) to gain more experience and perspective, but MCCC will always be home.   

“Montco gave me a path,” she said. “With help from Shawn Murray, Montco, Temple and my managers at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, I’m able to be in a place that I really feel good about.”