Eleven top-performing BS Hospitality Management students from STI Colleges were selected to be part of the first-ever Marriotternship program, a well-structured three-month internship conducted by Manila Marriott Hotel and Sheraton Manila Hotel.
A fruition of STI’s partnership with two of the most luxurious hotels in the country, the internship program welcomed STIers from the campuses in Caloocan, Global City, Las Pinas, Novaliches, Baguio, Sta. Maria, Ortigas-Cainta, Tanauan, Cagayan de Oro, and Cotabato.
From March 15 to June 14, 2022, the selected students were immersed in the hospitality management industry’s best practices within the Manila Marriott Hotel and Sheraton Manila Hotel vicinities, providing an experiential journey and maximizing the students’ learning potential.
One of the students chosen was Nicole Maralit from STI College Tanauan. An aspiring pastry chef at heart, Maralit was able to practice her culinary forte after being stationed in the kitchen of the Sheraton Manila Hotel.
“As someone who offers pastry as her specialty, my skills were much more developed,” said Maralit in a phone interview. “Being given the chance to serve in a five-star hotel known for their presentation of desserts trained me to work professionally at the highest standard.”
Aside from the strict regimen that allowed her to hone existing kitchen skills, Maralit also shared new insights she picked up during the internship which she now professionally utilizes as the Executive Assistant of Prism Restaurant and Café in Lipa, Batangas.
“The program wasn’t all about getting experience for me, it was about learning new things which are essential to my career, too,” added Maralit. “I learned how to glaze cakes and make chocolate garnishes which I never knew before.”
On the other hand, Pia Rose Barcelon, another intern, had to traverse uncharted waters. Unlike Maralit, Barcelon was assigned to the housekeeping department of Sheraton, a far area from the kitchen which she acknowledges as her culinary playground.
“The internship was a new learning curve for me,” said Barcelon who used to join cake decorating school competitions. Faced with worry at first, the graduating student from STI College Global City quickly adapted to the housekeeping routine after absorbing the necessary strategies taught to her by her welcoming superiors.
“Aside from showing hospitality to the interns, our supervisors shared their strategies in fixing beds and cleaning duvets at the professional level,” she said. “They also gave us the freedom to learn on our own; they taught us how to be independent.”
After a successful three-month program, a graduation ceremony was held at the Manila Marriott Hotel on June 14, 2022. Graced by Multi-property Vice President of Marriot International in the Philippines Mr. Bruce Winton and Sheraton Manila Hotel General Manager Ms. Anna Vergara, the 11 students were awarded certificates that are recognized by Marriot International, giving them an upper hand in the international job market.
The Marriotternship program is a testimony of what STI’s partnerships with fellow competitive companies bestow to their students and faculty members. After getting a glimpse of the professional world, Maralit, Barcelon, and the other STI interns have been equipped with the essential skills for them to be job-ready and future-ready.
“These types of experiences were attained through STI’s partnerships. Because of it, students can adapt to the real world easily and are able to land jobs where they can continue to develop their competencies,” said Maralit.
