Lauren McCormack, year 3 Bachelor of Commerce student and member of EM cup team 2024
“My name is Lauren McCormack and I am a Bachelor of Commerce student in 3rd year of Shannon College of Hotel Management. I love backpacking and meeting new people, so the chance to travel in this course was such a huge factor for me. I travelled during the last two Summers and during my college year while on placement in central Europe where I spent twelve-months in Frankfurt, Germany.I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a different culture and language, surrounded by the ease of access travel more of Europe. It was amazing to have a year to reinforce all the practical and academic learning from my first year in Shannon College. I worked in all operational departments of my placement hotel, from bartending to commis chef. This is something I couldn’t experience anywhere else.I chose Shannon College because of the unmatched combination of academic and practical learning, not to forget the amazing opportunity to study abroad for two years.
I didn’t know what career suited me when I was choosing a college course. I’ve always been passionate about hospitality and had an interest in business subjects, so Shannon college was the perfect choice for me as I get to study both Hotel Management and Commerce. I will have the qualifications to work in such a wide range of careers. I couldn’t recommend Shannon College enough. It has been the best decision I have ever made.”
Ian Keating, Bachelor of Business Graduate 2020, Hotel Manager, The Dean Hotel Cork 
"I always knew that I wanted a career in Hotels, it was both my job and my passion. Life is too short to have a career that you don’t love. I have never looked back and it has opened so many doors for me, including some amazing experiences. (I spent my year two placement in the Ritz Carlton Abama in Tenerife and my final year placement in London)
The mix of practical and theory suited me perfectly and geared me up for a career in the Industry. The lecturers at Shannon College were so approachable and always motivated me to become my best self. Shannon College is a lot more than just a course, it is a ‘Family’ of like-minded people all passionate about the Hospitality Industry, and as a result, I have made life-long friends from Shannon who I would be lost without. If you’re considering a career in Hospitality, then this is the course for you!!"
Freddy Allen, Final Year Placement student - Assistant Rooms Division Manager Fairmont, Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta, Canada
"Why I chose Shannon?
Growing up I was always a personable child. My dad works in an office and when I was younger I would often go in and meet him in town. I would wait for him to finish a call and I always found myself falling asleep and thought his office was so boring and that I could never work a standard 9 to 5 job. I started working in the hospitality industry when I was 15 and loved the adrenaline rush you would get when it was a busy shift. I had heard about the course and went down to one of the open days. I was still sceptical about applying as it would mean I would be leaving Dublin for college. I actually had taken Shannon off my CAO before the leaving Cert but then put it back on after. I got accepted to study at Shannon progressing onto Galway for 4th year to complete a commerce degree majoring in performance management and accounting which I was delighted about.
Highlights of the course
From studying at Shannon, you are taught invaluable lessons right from the beginning from attendance, general life skills such as ironing and how you present yourself. 1st year might seem tough for the first month adapting to the new lifestyle however this is one of the highlights of Shannon without a doubt. You meet other students which will become great friends for the rest of your life. Other highlights include the range of different practical elements which you learn in first year that you will take forward with you for the rest of your career and the various social events organised by both the students and the college.
Where I am now?
I am currently on my final year placement working as an Assistant Rooms Division Manager in Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Canada. It is a countryside resort in the mountains with Canadas no.1 resort golf course. There is so much to explore around the area especially the range of wildlife you see from grizzly bears, elk and mousse. When I am not at work I will be on the golf course or hiking various different trails. There is no doubt that there are tough days at work but that is the same with every job and when you have a great team it makes it that much more enjoyable. Working for the Fairmont company also allows you to avail of fantastic staff discounts and very affordable rates in some luxurious properties around the world.
The great thing about Shannon is that there is a huge focus on alumni events which is a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow alumni from the college.
The hospitality industry allows you to travel the world and see some fantastic places and there’s no doubt that Shannon helps along the way. If it wasn’t for Shannon College, I don’t think I would be where I am today."
Shannon College of Hotel Management
