Name: Hannah B.
Position: Human Resources Voyager
Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton Suwon
Dream destination: Maldives
Drink or treat of choice: Iced Matcha Lemonade
When Hannah was a freshman at Purdue University, she used to read this very same Life at Marriott blog to get inspired and prepare for interviews. “Those stories helped shape the path that brought me here, to the Voyage Program,” says Hannah, now an APEC Human Resources Voyager at the Four Points by Sheraton Suwon, in South Korea.
“I am hoping my story can inspire students and associates who are preparing for their future career journey at Marriott. I truly found a place where I can be myself, and I’d love the opportunity to share that with others.”
If you’re not familiar with it, Marriott’s Voyage Program is a 12-month global program for recent college grads that places them in a Marriott hotel in a manager-level role with full pay and benefits. Hannah’s story is the perfect example of what those early in their careers can garner from the program.
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Prior to starting her hospitality career in college, Hannah’s first Marriott memories go back to when she was a little girl.
“Growing up as a Korean American and traveling frequently between both countries, I’ve always been aware of Marriott’s global presence. The first Marriott hotel I visited was the Renaissance Seoul Hotel which closed years ago. I still remember even though I was very little at that time,” she recalls. “Over time, my fascination with Marriott’s different brands around the globe grew while attending college, and a dream formed: ‘One day, I’d like to work in both Korea and the U.S.’”
In her college days, Hannah spent her free time researching Marriott brands and hotels, always reading articles about new openings and developments. “The distinct colors of brands like Moxy, Edition, and Le Méridien just made me want to work at Marriott even more and when I first applied, the phrase ‘Be You’ on the Marriott Careers page resonated with me. I’ve always wanted to work at a company where I can truly be myself and grow.”
Keep reading to learn how Hannah joined the Voyage Program and got to make her dreams come true.
How and where did your Marriott career journey start?
I first started as a talent development intern at Marriott International HQ, as part of Marriott’s HQ Fellowship/Internship Program the summer of 2024, where I focused on learning and development. After completing the internship, I had the opportunity to work as a campus ambassador during my final semester at Purdue University. I focused on employer branding, posting various media on LinkedIn, and engaging with students in-person. After my graduation in December, I rejoined Marriott as an APEC Human Resources Voyager in Korea, in January 2025. It’s been an exciting opportunity to gain experience in both corporate and on-property environments, learning about and viewing hospitality from different perspectives. It’s been especially interesting to explore various HR functions across all three roles.
What has been the most valuable thing you’ve learned since you started working at Marriott?
From the very beginning of my career, I’ve been inspired by the peers and leaders I’ve met, all of whom share a deep passion for hospitality. Marriott surely brings together associates from various backgrounds and cultures. These experiences taught me the value of embracing different cultures and learning from others, motivating me to continually grow and develop within Marriott. I always remember Mr. Marriott’s quote: ‘Take care of your associates, and they will take care of the customers.’ As an HR professional, I aspire to become a leader who helps associates grow and develop into future leaders.
How would you describe your Voyage experience so far?
It’s been amazing. I frequently get to connect with Voyagers in different countries and roles. I recently even reconnected with my peers from Purdue University who also joined the program, and I love how we all get to grow together to become hospitality leaders at Marriott. We work at different brands and locations, each with unique stories to share and learn from. When I was in the HQ Fellowship/Internship Program, my peers came from diverse regions, majors, and universities, and that made the experience so memorable!
In our interview you said: “I found a place where I can be myself.” — tell us more about that.
As a multicultural child, I grew up meeting many people and adapting to different cultures. This is one of the biggest reasons why I wanted to pursue a career in hospitality, because I love interacting with others. However, there were times, since my childhood, when it felt like just as I had adjusted to one environment, I had to move on to a completely different one. This became one of my concerns regarding my long-term goal of becoming a global leader, wondering if I could ever become a quick learner if I kept moving to different places. In the end, those concerns proved to be meaningless, as I realized the only real difference was the language I spoke. The experiences I gained, starting from my first position at Marriott HQ, have built upon each other and continue to make me more confident every day.
What do you think makes Marriott a great place for students or people early in their careers?
As a campus ambassador, I remember talking to many students interested in starting their first career at Marriott during the career fair. That was one of the happiest moments for me, as I was able to recommend the right positions for them to apply to based on their interests in specific fields. In the Voyage Program, everyone is fresh out of college and dreams of a future in hospitality and Marriott. We all grow and dream together over the next 12-18 months as Voyagers. With 30+ brands and diverse properties around the globe, every Marriott experience is unique, but I think the earlier you start, the more adventures await! I discovered a career path in HR that I never imagined when I first began studying hospitality.
How would you describe Marriott’s culture?
Marriott has a great people culture where everyone is motivated and ready to take the next step in their leadership journey. Everyone I’ve met empowers others on the team and is eager to innovate. I always feel that everyone thrives on learning here, which is another motivating factor that shapes my dream of a future with Marriott.
What has been one of your favorite moments at Marriott?
Connecting with Voyage alumni who are now in supervisor roles. They are incredibly supportive and always there for me if I have any questions. I hope to become like them when I complete my Voyage journey.
What is a fun or exciting project you’ve worked on during your time at Marriott?
As a campus ambassador, I had the opportunity to take ownership of different tasks to promote the Voyage Program. It felt like the perfect time to maximize my creativity. I constantly brainstormed new ideas like filming a short video about the program and doing an in-class presentation. Whenever I was unsure about my work, I always sought feedback from my managers. Their feedback was both inspiring and also helped me become my best self with their support.
What would you say has been the most impactful aspect of your journey?
The global and varied aspect of my journey. During college, I originally planned to apply to the U.S. Voyage Program. However, I wanted to gain unique experiences and decided to apply for the HR Voyager position in Korea, as it is also my home country. My first two positions were in corporate learning and development and talent acquisition on-campus, and now I’m gaining experience across various HR functions. Looking back, each experience has been beyond valuable to me.
Where would you like to go from here?
I am looking forward to gaining managerial HR skills toward the end of the Voyage Program and continuing my HR journey at Marriott. In the future, I picture myself either as a General Manager or working in global human resources at HQ. I’m sure I will have a clearer direction as I gain more experience.
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