MSc Human Resource Management students learning and lunching at the Marriott

What do twenty Oxford Brookes MSc Human Resource Management students, the Central London Cluster Marriott Hotels and an excellent buffet lunch have in common?

The answer - they were just three of many components in an industry insight day experienced by our CIPD students in the hospitable warmth of the London Marriott Marble Arch hotel on Tuesday 13 February.

Facilitated by the Business School Work and Voluntary Experience Services (WAVES) team and generously hosted by the hotel's General Manager, Brookes alumna and long-time supporter, Stephanie Segoura, the day acted as in intensive and energising introduction to the realities of Human Resources Management in the hospitality sector. 

Four HR team members explained their roles against the backdrop of the company culture and approach to people management. They made it upfront and personal, sharing career journeys which had featured both ups and downs. The roles of specialists including learning and development, talent acquisition and employee relations were introduced. With plenty of opportunities for Q+A along the way, the day culminated with students in the role of HR team members working their way through four scenarios covering immigration compliance, on- boarding, a disciplinary case and internal staff briefings. The final session saw our students presenting their conclusions from these scenarios to a critical but encouraging panel of Marriott HR team members.

The Marriott team in effect offered our students a masterclass, both in organising an experiential learning event and in demonstrating what the hospitality sector values (the lunch was memorable!). All this was accompanied by additional lessons in professional networking and building databases of potential customers.

MSc Human Resource Management student, Sanskriti Devara said: "I was highly impressed by the level of professionalism and attention to detail that we saw at every turn. It was clear that the HR team at Marriott is truly passionate about what they do. Thank you again for opening your doors to us, in particular Denisa Oprea, the event organiser, and for showing us the ropes of the hospitality industry."

Fellow student, Varun Patel added: "The session was truly enriching, and I appreciated the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about various HR topics. The dedication to fostering a supportive and engaging work environment was evident throughout, and it made the experience all the more valuable. Thank you to the Marriott team for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to our professional development. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow alongside such a dedicated team."