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When I was applying for the course, I conducted research which identified Griffith College as one of the most respectable institutions that completely satisfied my requirements for selecting a 3rd level educational programme. I researched the course online but I also visited the facility personally prior to applying.
The course sounded interesting as it was balanced combination of both business and hospitality-related subjects that opened up the opportunity to study the business environment as well as focusing on the specific nature of tourism and hospitality industries.
Our group consisted of approximately 25 people with an almost equal breakdown of boys and girls. Also, to mention the size of the group was excellent for a positive learning environment as it allowed lecturers to interact with student individually and have a personal approach towards every student.
I was working part-time throughout my 3 years in college. I was working in various hospitality organistions that included The Morrison Hotel, The Morgan Hotel, The O’Callaghan Hotel Group and The National Concert Hall. The programme requires students to gain 500 hours work experience during their studies.
The programme covered both business and hospitality-related subjects. Business subjects included: Marketing Management & Research, Financial & Management Accounting, Supply Chain Management, International Economic Structures, MIS & E-Business. Hospitality- related subjects were as following: Introduction to International Hospitality Management, Principles of Hospitality Operations Accommodation and Facilities Management, Food and Beverage Management, Hospitality Law, International Human Resource Management, International Travel, Tourism and Hospitality, International Leisure Services Management and Conference and Events Management.
Personally, I liked subjects that were related to Human Resources and Marketing.
Exams were usually assigned to the end of the semester. Each subject had specific exam structure; however, most common structure was an exam paper with the choice of 4 out of 6 questions that students were required to attempt as an essay. Some subjects were assessed by means of continuous assessment and in final year we were required to prepare a final year project (Business Plan/Dissertation).
After graduating, I started working as a Duty Manager in one of the hotels within the Maldron Group. I started at a middle-management level and this provided me with the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge gained through my studies to the hotel’s day-to-day operations.
The role of a Duty Manager provides many challenges and learning opportunities that arise on the daily basis, from the decision-making process that the role involves in relation to managing hotel employees and daily hotel operations in general.
Working as a Duty Manager provided me with a great experience and expanded my understanding of hotel operations. Nevertheless, the extensive knowledge that was provided during college regarding specific areas of managing hospitality operations supplied me with a comprehensive understanding of the practical implementation of theory when working as a Duty Manager.
I am now on a break from my role as Duty Manager with the Maldron Hotel Group as I am studying for my Masters in International Business at Griffith College. I am participating in a tri-partite programme which gives me the opportunity to study in Berlin, Dublin and Paris. I will be returning to work with the Maldron Hotel Group in 2010.