Name: Noelle M.
Position: Area Operations Intern
Location: Marriott International Regional Office Singapore
Dream destination: Hokkaido Japan.
Drink or treat of choice: Coffee is a daily essential for me. In the summer I love switching things up with an Aperol Spritz.

Growing up between Bangkok and Zurich, Noelle was immersed in different cultures, cities, and ways of life from an early age. Travel was a constant, and along the way, hotels quickly became her favorite part of every journey. They were places where worlds met, details mattered, and people made all the difference.

That early exposure sparked a curiosity about what happens behind the scenes of those experiences. Her first hands-on role in a fine dining restaurant in Zurich brought that curiosity to life and showed her that hospitality was never just about service. It was about people, thoughtful details, and creating meaningful moments. Inspired by this realization, Noelle went on to pursue hospitality studies at EHL Hospitality Business School and eventually found her way to Marriott International, where she began seeing the industry from an entirely new perspective.

Growing up between Bangkok and Zurich, Noelle was immersed in different cultures, cities, and ways of life from an early age. Travel was a constant, and along the way, hotels quickly became her favorite part of every journey. They were places where worlds met, details mattered, and people made all the difference.

→ Learn About the Wide Range of Career Journeys at Marriott

Read on to learn why Noelle chose Marriott, how her internship helped her build confidence, and how finding a sense of belonging early in her career shaped the professional she is today.

Why Marriott? 

Marriott stood out to me because of its scale, diversity, and people-first culture. I was excited by the opportunity to learn from a global company with such a wide portfolio of brands and experiences while staying rooted in service and connection. 

I was also drawn to Singapore and the chance to gain exposure in Asia, a region I see as central to my future in hospitality. Hearing consistently positive feedback about Marriott’s internship experience from my classmates reassured me that this would be a place where I could truly learn, contribute, and grow. 

What was something you were not expecting from this experience?

What surprised me most was how welcomed and trusted I felt from day one. I wasn’t treated like “just an intern”. In fact, I was included in conversations, given ownership, and encouraged to contribute meaningfully to real work. 

After your internship, how would you describe Marriott’s culture?

The culture was also incredibly open and supportive. Senior leaders were approachable, feedback was constructive, and curiosity was always encouraged. That sense of psychological safety allowed me to learn faster, ask better questions, and show up as myself, which truly made the start of my career feel both exciting and empowering. 

What has been your biggest learning curve? 

Learning to trust my own analytical ability. Working with data, building presentations, and translating insights into recommendations pushed me far outside my comfort zone. 

What has helped you the most on this journey? 

What made the difference was the trust I received. My manager gave me ownership, encouraged experimentation, and provided thoughtful guidance along the way. With consistent feedback and support, my confidence grew, and by the end of my internship, something that once felt intimidating had become one of my strengths. 

“Marriott helped me grow into a more confident version of myself.”

Noelle – Area Operations Intern

What is a moment when you felt you truly belonged at Marriott. 

I truly felt that sense of belonging during my first hotel countdown for The Laurus, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Singapore, about two months into my internship. I was responsible for managing speakers and presentations behind the scenes during the two-day ballroom countdown, which was a major milestone moment. Being entrusted with such responsibility made me realize I wasn’t on the sidelines anymore. I was part of the team, contributing to something bigger, and that feeling stayed with me throughout my journey. 

How would you sum up your experience at Marriott? 

Marriott helped me grow into a more confident version of myself. Before starting, I wasn’t sure how I would perform in an office-based role, but this experience showed me that I thrive in both corporate and property environments. 

→ Marriott Is Hiring! Find What You’re Looking For in a Career