Courtesy of Donovan M.
Name: Donovan M.
Position: Digital Services Fellow
School: William and Mary
Dream destination: The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
Drink or treat of choice: Lemonade
After completing his associate degree and undergrad in hospitality management, Donovan had no doubts about where he wanted to go next: Marriott’s Voyage Program.
“When I got accepted into the Marriott Voyage program, it was an absolute dream come true for me,” says Donovan, who was assigned to the JW Marriott New Orleans, but unfortunately had to pause the program due to Covid.
Donovan, who’s pursuing his MBA at William and Mary, had the opportunity to come back to Marriott this summer as a part of the HQ Fellowship/Internship Program.
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“I chose a Marriott internship over all the other options because Marriott is simply the place to be!” he says, adding that both the company’s culture as well as the opportunities to learn and grow professionally drew him to the program. “This is where I truly belong. The company’s culture is amazing, and, with 31 different brands to explore, the possibilities for growth and development are endless,”
Courtesy of Donovan M.
As a part of the corporate summer internship program, each fellow or intern gets placed within a different Marriott department — Donovan spent his summer with the Digital Services team specifically focused on customer success, getting the opportunity to work on multiple high-impact projects.
“The experience has been both enjoyable and challenging, and it has given me many opportunities to apply my skills while knowing that I had the support of the management whenever I needed it,” he says of the program. “As I continue my MBA journey and after this internship, my desire to work for Marriott’s Headquarters has only grown stronger.”
Learn more about Donovan’s experience as a digital services intern at Marriott, below.
How would you describe your experience as a Marriott intern?
Everyone has been incredibly helpful and welcoming, creating a supportive and inclusive environment that I absolutely adored. Marriott is the perfect fit for me, and I am thrilled to be a part of this organization. I can honestly say that I love it here and wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world!
In your eyes, what makes Marriott stand out from other companies?
What truly sets Marriott apart from other companies is its exceptionally welcoming and inclusive culture. From the very first day, you can genuinely feel this warm and friendly atmosphere that makes you feel like you are part of one big family. The sense of belonging and camaraderie at Marriott creates an inspiring work environment where collaboration and support thrive.
Courtesy of Donovan M.
What have you learned at Marriott that you plan on taking with you in your future career?
Creativity is one key skill Marriott has nurtured. [During this internship] I’ve learned to approach challenges thinking outside the box to bring fresh ideas to the table. Another valuable skill I’ve gained is effective multitasking. But perhaps the most important lesson I’ve learned is the importance of speaking up and sharing ideas. Marriott fosters an open and collaborative environment where all ideas are welcomed and valued, regardless of hierarchy. This experience has given me the confidence to voice my opinions and take on leadership roles in various projects. I’m grateful for the level of responsibility I was entrusted with during this internship, it has empowered me to be more self-assured and proactive.
Where would you like to go from here?
My focus now is on finishing my MBA program strong and leaving a positive mark on the university. I may explore other job opportunities outside of the hospitality industry, but I must admit that it would be incredibly hard to turn down an offer from Marriott if one comes my way.
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