Tourism graduate aiming for the top at Marriott

Amber set for success on esteemed graduate trainee scheme with global company.

A tourism graduate from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is set to be a high-flier with Marriott after securing a place on a prestigious graduate trainee scheme straight out of University.

Amber Howard only graduated this week but is already carving out a career with the global company, based at Hanbury Manor Hotel and Country Club in Hertfordshire, on Marriott’s Global Voyage Leadership Development Program.

The program, which is open to graduates from around the world, only accepts around 300 applicants each year. During her training, Amber will rotate through several roles within Hanbury Manor to gain as much experience as possible.

“I am hoping the graduate scheme will help me figure out exactly what position I would like to be within the hotel industry, whether that’s to be a hotel general manager or within human resources or marketing.“

— International tourism, hospitality and events management graduate Amber Howard

“I am currently in the food and beverage department” she said. “My day to day role includes checking emails, attending daily meetings, giving daily briefings to my team, supervising my team to ensure all jobs are done and standards are met, but also getting involved on the floor or behind the bar if required.

“I am hoping the graduate scheme will help me figure out exactly what position I would like to be within the hotel industry, whether that’s to be a hotel general manager or within human resources or marketing.”

The 22-year-old leaves UCLan with a distinction in her international tourism, hospitality, and events management masters degree.

She said: “I worked in hospitality during my undergraduate studies and developed a fascination for consumer rapport and brand loyalty.

“My work placement at Preston Marriott was certainly a highlight of the course; enhancing not only my academic skills, but also my work performance and future employability.“

— International tourism, hospitality and events management graduate Amber Howard

“I decided to continue this interest through a masters degree. The 12-week work placement as part of the course at UCLan was a big draw as I could apply the theory to practice in real-time. My work placement at Preston Marriott was certainly a highlight of the course; enhancing not only my academic skills, but also my work performance and future employability.”

Amber added: “I am two months into my Voyage journey with Marriott. I will be doing this for the next 16 months until I graduate from the program and hopefully straight into a management role.

“I would just like to say thank you to all my module leaders for making their content so detailed and captivating and for their continuous time, support, and genuine interest in not only my academic work, but also my personal life and career development.”