Jessica Deed

Why did you choose to follow a career in the hospitality and tourism industry?

I chose a career in hospitality because I wanted a people-focused industry that was dynamic and evolving. Hospitality has huge development opportunities and allows a work and travel balance that always intrigued me.

Why did you initially choose to study with PIHMS?

I chose PIHMS because of its practical learning environment and range of courses. As someone who works well in both practical and theoretical learning, I wanted both the operational and academic challenges PIHMS provided.

Where did you undertake your internship?

I undertook both of my Industry Placements in Sydney, Australia. I worked across multiple food and beverage positions at Langham Sydney and as a Guest Service Agent at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. Both jobs were incredibly insightful and rewarding; as well as the earnings from these jobs provided the freedom to not work during my first two years of study.

What was the most important take away from your internship?

The biggest takeaways from my experiences are the industry connections I made which helped me ensure a post-graduate job in Sydney as well as the practical skills that couldn't be taught in a classroom.

Which were the next steps in your journey since leaving PIHMS?

Following PIHMS, I moved back to Australia and was accepted into the Marriott Voyager Graduate Program within the rooms division. This is an 18-month program with dedicated leadership development which results in a guaranteed promotion into a management role following the completion of a program.

What do you enjoy most in your current role?

My current role is incredibly rewarding as it allows me to work in a variety of different roles and departments. A hotel is a team effort and it's great to see the small actions behind the scenes that make a huge difference.

What are your plans for the future?

I look forward to continuing to grow within the hotel industry and I wish to be a department leader in 3-5 years and a hotel manager within 10 years of graduating from PIHMS.

Any words of wisdom to share with potential SixStar applicants who are considering a career in the hospitality and tourism industry?

I would highly recommend SixStar as it allows the opportunity for more people to have practical hands-on experience. My biggest advice is to be willing to be a team player and get stuck into it, while it’s not always glamorous, but it’s absolutely worthwhile.