The hospitality placement experience

International Hospitality Management BA(Hons) student Sarah Langworthy took advantage of the optional placement year which is available for all students on the course.

Supported by our Employability Hub, Sarah secured a year’s paid placement with Meon Valley Marriott Hotel and Country Club near Portsmouth.

Sarah describes how the placement helped her: “Before I began my placement, I knew that it would be a crucial part of my time at university and it definitely was.

“I went into a job I did not know how to do, despite having two years of a degree behind me, as a shy student. I came out more confident, experienced, and ready to lead, with some amazing new friends.

“Upon reflecting over the year, certain strengths and weaknesses of mine have become apparent that I was not aware of at the time. This will help me in the future to become a better manager, particularly patience, and self confidence.

“I believe I have completed all the objectives I set myself before I went on placement, and even though I stayed local and travelled by car every day, I achieved everything I wanted to.

“I think an important part of what I learnt is how much passion you can have for a workplace and its people, and I believe that is what a career in hospitality should be all about.”

The University of Brighton has long standing partnerships with many organisations in the UK and overseas that offer placements to our students. They include Walt Disney World, Florida, The Castle Hotel, DoubleTree and The Sea Pines Resort in South Carolina.