Shannon College of Hotel Management - Graduate Testimonials

Posted on January 7, 2022

Having started my hospitality career from a young age working in a café and restaurant in Kilkenny, I knew hospitality was the industry for me. As I was not coming from a hospitality background, I was lucky to have guidance from some family friends within the industry who introduced me to Shannon College of Hotel Management. 

Whilst studying the BBS in International Hotel Management, I was fortunate to spend my year 2 placement at the Iconic 5 star ‘Hotel Le Royal’ in Luxembourg which was a fantastic experience as a 19-year-old. 

My time in Shannon was incredible and lifelong friends have been created between students and lecturers. The campus life was terrific fun and the various events throughout the year are always a big highlight for students. 

Shannon College has given me opportunities to have positions in some of the world's leading hotels such as 'Adare Manor' and 'The Mandarin Oriental', Hyde Park, London. Having graduated into the cusp of the pandemic, Shannon College Alumni offered fantastic guidance and support to myself and students which has now led me to my current position as The Director of Housekeeping at the renowned 5-star Lyrath Estate.

Neal Fennelly - BBS (Hons) Graduate of 2020

Director of Housekeeping

Lyrath Estate

I applied for Shannon College as a 6th year student who was unsure of what they wanted to do after they left school and I can wholeheartedly say, it was a brilliant decision.

Shannon College isn’t your average college experience with but the friendships, experience, skills, and tools you take with you into your life after college is second to none.

I studied the Bachelor of Commerce with Digital Business & International Hotel Management through Shannon College and spent a year studying at NUI Galway. As a hospitality student who graduated during a global pandemic, a career in hospitality was looking questionable but now for future hoteliers, the sector is back and thriving more than ever. 

I have since decided to begin a new career in the Insurance Sector since finishing my final placement. With the courses in SCHM, you really do gain an extensive knowledge of Commerce, Business and Management which is extremely transferable and not just applicable to Hotel Management.

Ceri Miller BComm (Hons) Graduate of 2020 

Personal Lines Account Executive

LHK Insurance Ltd

If you are looking for a fun, challenging, dynamic career path then Shannon College just might be for you. Shannon is not only a college that offers you a high level of hospitality training, but so much life experience from a wide range of different modules such as intercultural communications to facilities management. From business modules to international professional work placements. The one thing you won't be doing is sitting in classroom the whole time. The mix of business and practical modules develops your soft skills, and the qualification of the level 8 business degree allows you to delve into so many different career paths later in life. It truly rounds you as a professional in the industry. Shannon also gave me an incredible circle of lifelong friends and opened the doors to a wider of network of Shannon alumni all over the globe. For me, Shannon is much more than just a college, it’s a family. Shannon allowed me to be me and being someone with learning difficulties such as dyslexia I never thought I could achieve what I have achieved today. The tremendous number of services and support along with a very open approach to learning has pushed me to achieve my best. Shannon embraces every student and their uniqueness, bringing out the best in all of us. I’m now nearly 2 years in London since graduating, and it’s been an amazing experience. I have had the opportunity to continue my management studies with the world-famous 5-star luxury hotel group 'The Mandarin Oriental' Hyde Park London. I took up their Food & Beverage Management Training Programme which led me to have the opportunity to join the Jumeirah hotel group for their exciting pre-opening and I am now part of the opening team for their new flag ship property in London. Shannon gave me so many incredible opportunities, and still to this day give me so many amazing opportunities thanks to the training and experiences I have received. I can’t say enough good things about Shannon and the people who makes it so amazing. So, if you are looking for a fun, exciting, and diverse career then Shannon may be the course for you. 

I would love to see you as part of the Shannon family in the coming years.Olivia Campbell BBS (Hons) Graduate of 2020

The Carlton Tower Jumeirah,

London (BBS Graduate 2020)

I, like many others, had no idea what I wanted to do after school. I found Shannon through a family friend, and alumni, who inspired my decision through sharing fond memories.

At first I was daunted by the idea of a small college, while all of my friends were attending big colleges in Dublin. But, two years and a global pandemic later, I can confidently say that I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. ​​Not only have I gained invaluable international experience and professionalism, but I have also had the opportunity to learn from some of the industry's best leaders, in some of the best hotels in the world. In addition, I have grown a global network and made lifelong friends and memories.

I am currently working with Shackle, a hospitality tech start-up, as a member of the Customer Success team. We are developing an app for hotels to enhance both the guest experience and operational efficiency. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities my experience at Shannon has allowed for and I am excited to see what the future holds, as the industry bounces back stronger and more innovative than ever.

Katie Raeburn BComm (Hons) Graduate of 2020

Customer Success

London

My experience at Shannon College was incredible. The best part was travelling abroad to Brussels, Nantucket and London.

I chose Shannon College to kickstart my career. The reputation of the college is recognised all over the world which has given me many opportunities since graduating.

After two years working in operations at a managerial level, I have pursued as career in finance currently working as an Assistant Financial Controller with RBH Hotel Group.

Killian Clancy, BBS (Hons) Graduate of 2020

Assistant Financial Controller

RBH Hotel Group, London

Shannon College of Hotel Management gives you the tools and the attitude to be successful and driven in your career….

When I look back, I can confidently say that choosing Shannon College was one of the best decisions I have made for my career. To be honest, I was not sure what I wanted to do with my career. When I came across the ‘Study in Ireland’ expo in India, Shannon College’s offering caught my eye instantly. This 4 year and 9 month course focuses on both business and practical modules with a strong focus on the hospitality industry. The curriculum also allows you to develop a certain skill set which is a prerequisite to be successful within the business and hospitality industry, ranging from personality development, work ethic, interpersonal and soft skills as well as language development.

I chose to study the Bachelor of Commerce Degree in International Hospitality Management where I specialized in Accounting and was given the opportunity to complete two professional, paid work placements in 5 star properties in Ireland.

The BComm Degree allowed me to focus on a business discipline during my final year where I spent in NUI Galway’s main campus. Students have the option to focus on disciplines in various fields such as Marketing, Human Resource Management, Information Technology, Accounting and Economics. I chose to specialize in Accounting and on that basis I secured a CAP1 exemption from charted Accountant Ireland. During the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, I chose to upskill and pursued a Masters degree. Thanks to the Bachelor of Commerce Degree I could secure my place on the Masters in Accounting programme with ease, which has led me to securing a contract with a leading professional services firm and working towards becoming a fully qualified Accountant.

Arun Singh – BComm (HONS) International Graduate class of 2020

BDO Limerick, Accountants, Audit, Tax Consultants

Choosing Shannon College is not always what I had intended but it’s most certainly one of the greatest decisions I’ve made in my life. Throughout my school years I always wanted to become a nurse and that’s what I aimed for. I finished my leaving cert and started college in Dublin until the realisation hit that nursing wasn’t for me. After three months of college, I decided to drop out and go working in The K Club until I made a decision on what I’d like to do. With this confusion, I spoke with a local guidance counsellor. We spoke about a number of traits I possess and came to the conclusion that hotel management was the one for me. I successfully applied to Shannon College the following year and chose the Bachelor of Commerce with a Diploma in International Hotel Management course.

After finishing the course, I look back with so many fond memories. The dress dance each year is something everyone looks forward to and it never disappoints. Graduation each year was always a big event that excites everyone. Having the student’s works at the event was always good fun and it also gives you inspiration seeing the graduates and proudly thinking “That’ll be me someday”. Placement is 2nd year is incredible. It’s a year of your life that really allows you to develop as a person and as a professional. It opens your eyes to so many more possibilities and delving into an unknown culture is very worthwhile. I think the main point of interest that Shannon has over other colleges is that every year, it’ something different. First year is mostly practical, second year is abroad, third year is quite academic and fourth year I spent in Galway before my final year placement. The academic modules are all very relevant to the industry and I particularly liked the accounting modules.

After completing my final year placement in Ballynahinch Castle, I was delighted to be promoted to Guest Relations Manager where I can focus on our wonderful guests each day and create lasting memories for them. I certainly have Shannon to thank for laying the foundations for my career that I hope goes from strength to strength. Learning to be an ultimate professional comes from my training in Shannon and our alumni can be easily identified all across the world.

Killian Fitzpatrick – Bcomm (HONS) Graduate of 2020

Guest Relations Manager Ballynahinch Castle

 

I am so proud to say I graduated from Shannon College of Hotel Management with a First class in the Bachelor of Business and International hotel Management.

In general, I am really happy with my decision to study in Shannon College of Hotel Management, as I have improved my skills significantly after 5 years living and studying in this lovely college. Additionally, the college programme was amazing, as it not only provided me the ability to demonstrate operational knowledge, business acumen and general suitability for Hotel Management at my workplace, Shannon College also provided many internship opportunities to their students to gain more working experience.

I feel really grateful for those opportunities that helped me a lot in making me the person I am today. A sparkling example is that the college reputation played a crucial role in enabling me to apply for the J1 visa to go to the US and to work at the Intercontinental hotel in Boston. It was such a wonderful experience for me to get to know the world, as well as gaining international work experience. Furthermore, working in the hospitality industry is really interesting. I a privileged to have had the opportunity to meet many celebrities and well known faces in person. For example, it was quite exciting when I got the chance to check-in the famous actress Ms. Catherine O’Hara from the movie ‘Home-Alone’ while working at the reception in the Shelbourne Hotel, or another time when I was chosen as a personal ambassador for the visiting of the Deputy Minister of Vietnam (Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue) at the Intercontinental Hotel Boston USA.  

 

I was lucky enough to spend my final year placement in the wonderful Shelbourne Hotel by Marriott International under the Management Training Programme. After my placement, I decided to pursue a postgraduate course in Accounting in Trinity College Dublin. Less than two months into my course, I completed an interview with BDO and Pfizer for their Graduate Programmes and I am currently working in the BDO Dublin as an Audit Associate and enrolled in an online course with chartered accountancy to complete the professional qualification for accounting. I am loving the opportunity I have been given to move into the financial industry, taking with me all the skills I learned throughout my years in Shannon.

The people in Shannon are fantastic. Everyone is just so friendly in this little town, together with all my friends from Shannon, it just feel like a family here. Altogether, Shannon is just like my second hometown in Ireland. 

With all those memories, it just reminded me how interesting it truly is to work in such an exciting, fast paced and ever changing industry, and it goes without saying that going to Shannon College of Hotel Management is one of the best decision that I ever made in my life. 

Therefore, I will not hesitate to recommend the college to all my friends in Vietnam, as it was so magnificent for me to be here over the last few years. 

Thank you Shannon!

Dat Dang Nguyen – BBS (HONS) International Graduate of 2020

Audit Associate, BDO, Dublin