Vincent Campanaro explains his unconventional commitment to career development

Vincent Campanaro, a first-year student at New York University, has taken an extraordinary step in his pursuit of professional experience by spending $10,000 to travel to a weekend internship in Florida. Every Friday, after completing his classes, Vincent Campanaro flies from New York to Naples to work at The Ritz-Carlton Naples Hotel in a paid hospitality internship.

Despite the hefty sum, Vincent Campanaro believes the expense is justified, considering the high cost of living in Naples. “Flying back and forth to Naples, that’s really penny-pinching because Naples is pretty expensive,” he said in an interview on Varney & Co. However, he admits that managing costs is challenging, sometimes resorting to sleeping at the airport or booking different flights to save money.

The decision to invest such a significant amount in commuting costs stems from the competitive nature of the internship market. Campanaro explained that even students with perfect test scores and GPAs can struggle to secure internships, making his opportunity at the Ritz-Carlton even more valuable. “Freshmen do not intern at hotels, really,” he remarked, highlighting the rarity of his position.

With just one month left in his six-month internship, Campanaro has no regrets. He describes the experience as “fantastic” and values the lessons learned about the Ritz-Carlton philosophy and customer-centricity. His commitment to his future career is a testament to his determination and willingness to go the extra mile—literally.