Rose Chusid, Bachelor and Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management (4+1), 2025

Rose Chusid, a Philadelphia native, is no stranger to arduous work. Her experience in the food industry progressed as she worked from busser to waitress at a hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant, she says. The skills and connections she developed over those five years have become a passion for hospitality and shared experiences.

Chusid is preparing to complete FIU’s Hospitality and Tourism Management 4 + 1 program to receive a master’s degree in 2025. She also interns for Bacardi, one of the largest family-owned spirits companies in the world. The following interview highlights Chusid’s thoughts on the program, her internship and future.

What is your major and when do you graduate?

I am a junior majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management and am set to graduate in Spring 2024. I am also doing the 4+1 program to earn my master’s in hospitality management, so I will most likely graduate in the 2024-2025 academic year.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I hope to be working for Bacardi where I can continue to gain knowledge about the world of spirits through a marketing or brand advocacy perspective. I ultimately want to collaborate with various spirit brands and foster connections with people over the shared love of spirits.

What led you to this field and why did you choose FIU?

I originally came to FIU as a Dietetics and Nutrition major because FIU has one of the best programs in the country (and the warm weather did not hurt). I soon realized that although I was passionate about health and wellness, my true passion was connecting with people over shared experiences like food and spirits. I was lucky that FIU also had an amazing hospitality program, so it was easy to make the switch and I could not be happier with my decision.

Have you completed any online courses?

Yes, I have completed quite a few online courses during my time at FIU. I am taking Dining Services Management (HFT 3263) this semester and it has been interesting.

How did you hear about the internship?

I heard about this internship through an Instagram post from the Bacardi Center of Excellence which is a pillar of the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. They were highlighting three different internships working with Bacardi and the Patrón internship jumped out at me. I was previously Marketing Coordinator of the Bartenders Guild at FIU where I was responsible for generating educational and creative social media content related to mixology and spirits. Because of this experience and my passion to get into the spirits industry, I applied right away.

How has this internship helped you?

Being able to work with one of the biggest spirits suppliers and ultra-premium brands in the world is truly a privilege. I get to interact with so many different people daily whether it be brand managers, marketing directors, even vice presidents of Bacardi’s biggest brands. I went into this job telling everyone that I am a “sponge” and want to absorb as much as possible, and the Bacardi team has been so great at sharing their knowledge and making every moment a teaching moment. I specifically want to learn more about marketing and brand advocacy, so I cannot wait to see my growth in those areas over the course of my time at Bacardi.

What do you think the impact will be for your future?

Although Bacardi is a huge company, it truly feels like a small family, and they really invest in their workers—or “primos,” as we are called. Because of this, I hope to work my way up within Bacardi and take advantage of any opportunity I can. It’s such a privilege to enter the industry working with super premium and ultra-premium spirits brands. I would like to continue working within that space and learning from the best of the best. To me, I saw this experience as my foot in the door to the industry, and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store.