5 Interns Share Their Best Tips to Land a Marriott Internship
By Irene San Segundo
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Kelly Loss Photography
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Lao Tzu’s timeless words ring true for anyone starting a career in hospitality — that first step can shape everything that follows.
At Marriott, the HQ Fellowship/Internship Program gives students and recent graduates the chance to experience the heartbeat of our global business — from marketing and HR to finance and operations — all while working on projects that matter. It’s a hands-on, immersive way to learn, network, and explore what a career in hospitality can look like.
Whether you’re considering an HQ internship, an on‑property role, or are curious about how life as an intern is like at Marriott, we spoke to five former Marriott interns to find out their best advice for anyone hoping to land (and thrive in) a Marriott internship. Here’s what they said and how you can put it into action.
Put Yourself Out There…Big Time
Courtesy of Julia F.
Julia F., Consumer Public Relations Intern (Marriott HQ, Bethesda)
After finishing a prior marketing internship with a food flavoring company, Julia set her sights on the hospitality and travel industry and completed a a summer internship at Marriott’s corporate headquarters for Marriott’s U.S. & Canada Consumer Public Relations team. Looking back, the most valuable lesson she learned from her experience the chance to stretch herself.
“Being willing to put myself out there. When I was little, I was very shy until high school, and then I realized there’s so many people out there who don’t know me yet. [Here I realized] I can be whoever I want to be. […] I have been willing to ask to be put on projects that I wouldn’t have otherwise or to talk to people on different teams.”
An Opportunity to Show People You Can
Courtesy of Riya K.
Riya K., Cybersecurity Intern (HQ Fellowship, Bethesda
“People told me that getting an internship after just finishing my first year of college would be extremely hard. Hearing all this, I thought my chances of getting anything with be close to zero, but Marriott took a chance on me,” says Riya, a cybersecurity major
“To me, this internship was an opportunity to show people that I’m capable of doing great things and that I’m just as capable as anyone else,” says Riya. “My Marriott internship meant that I was able to beat the odds.”
“I knew [Marriott] was going to be a good fit for me when I met my manager during my interview. She was so kind and welcoming,” says Emily, who was an intern at Marriott’s Software Engineering and Salesforce Platforms team while double-majoring in Information Science and Information Technology and Design.
In her eyes, what makes Marriott stand out from other companies was the freedom and opportunities for creativity and growth, and the investment the company makes in its associates. “I appreciate how much care and resources Marriott invests into associate growth. I feel like I could really develop myself here.”
“Don’t Wait for Opportunities, Create Them”
Courtesy of Donald W.
Donald W., Student Front Office Associate Intern (Sapphire House Antwerp, Autograph Collection)
“[Crosstraining] is one of the best things about interning at Marriott! The opportunity to be exposed to different departments. But it all starts with you!”, says Donald W. who completed a six-month internship at Lisbon Marriott Hotel in the Front Office, where he also trained in hotel operations and did some cross-training in the finance department.
“If you’re an intern wanting to explore beyond your assigned role, my biggest advice is ask, be curious, and show interest. I made it clear from the start that I wanted to cross-train, and my managers were very supportive. The key is to be open, adaptable, and engaged. Don’t wait for opportunities, create them! ”
Dare to Grow and be Challenged
Courtesy of Lockett R.
Lockett R., Global Tech Intern (Marriott HQ, Bethesda)
“[At Marriott] There is an enormous opportunity for advancement when it comes to technology and hospitality,” says Lockett, who’s spending her summer fellowship with the product management team.
When looking for an internship, she wanted to find a place where she could advance professionally but where she could also be challenged. And she found it!
“I have been really impressed by how the company is placing tech at the forefront, consistently seeking ways in which the associate and guest experience can be not only modernized, but also made more personalized and intuitive,” says Lockett. “You feel very close to the user working in tech at Marriott, which is not something that can be said for every tech company.”
