A first-class University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) graduate is celebrating as she prepares to move halfway across the world after securing a position for a global hotel chain in China.
Kelly-Marie Staunton, from Shevington, successfully juggled three part-time jobs as well as fitting in voluntary work all whilst studying full time for a BA (Hons) in International Hospitality Management.
Now, she will move her life to the other side º£½ÇÊÓƵ world to start a new role as a trainee manager for the hotel giant Marriott.
The 22 year-old said: “I’m nervous but also really excited to start this new chapter and move to Asia. I will be living in Guangzhou and my new role will see me working in room division, something I haven’t worked in before.”
Previously working as a supervisor at The Daffodil Hotel and Spa in Ambleside, an executive lounge host at the Hilton Hotel on Manchester’s Deansgate and a front desk agent at Blackpool’s Hilton Hotel simultaneously, Kelly-Marie worked seven days a week whilst studying at University.
I really enjoyed my year abroad and was interested to see how hospitality was conducted over there.
She said: “I had a different role at each of my jobs and all º£½ÇÊÓƵm were demanding. I had long commutes between places but I made it work. Although I had very little time to myself I put time aside each day to study. I really just enjoy working and that work ethic comes naturally.”
No stranger to adjusting to life in another country, the third year of Kelly-Marie’s course was spent in Nashville, in the United States of America. Working a rotational internship for hotel property management company Whitelodge, the former Runshaw College student said: “I really enjoyed my year abroad and was interested to see how hospitality was conducted over there.
“It was such a culture shock and hospitality is taken more seriously, with staff going the extra mile to make sure that the customer is happy.”
Earlier this year Kelly-Marie’s hard work and determination was recognised after she won a number of hospitality awards. She was presented with the Marriott Hospitality Prize 2017 and claimed three Student Employee º£½ÇÊÓƵ Year awards at institution, regional and national level. The Student Employee awards were recognising a student who has demonstrated hard work and dedication going above and beyond throughout their degree.
Kelly-Marie was one of more than 4,000 students who graduated last week surrounded by family and friends at Preston’s Guild Hall.