For a college student who’s looking to build a hospitality career, Marriott’s Voyage Program is the gold standard. Scratch that — for a college student who’s looking to kickstart their post-grad career, regardless of industry, Marriott’s Voyage Program is platinum.

This isn’t an oversell, let me walk you through it.

Meet Max. Max is entering their senior year of college as a Comms major and has no idea what’s happening post-graduation. Max wants to enter the workforce, to find a full-time, grown-up job, but has no idea where to apply. Max likes working with people and is *really* good at solving programs — they know this from their beloved side gig of working as a restaurant server — but is unsure of how those skills translate in the “real world.”

Max has never considered hospitality as their full-time career (and between you and me, doesn’t even know that it’s a field of study), but at their college’s career fair runs into the Marriott table. A very enthusiastic and patient recruiter explains Voyage — a 12-month program for recent college grads that places them in one of hundreds of Marriott hotels around the country in a manager-level position with full pay and benefits, including a relocation bonus if they’re choosing to move away from home.

→ A Guide to the Voyage Application Process for the U.S. and Canada
→ An Overview of the EMEA Voyage Recruitment Process
→ Our Interview Advice & Tips for Hopeful Voyage Applicants

Max is intrigued — could this be the perfect first step in Max’s career? — and heads back to their apartment and applies for the program.

First, Max will get an email prompt to complete the video interview portion. Still looking sharp from the career fair and feeling inspired, Max goes for it and records answers to questions like, “Why are you a fit for this role?” and clicks submit.

Now exhausted but psyched for what’s to come, Max calls it a night.

Over the next week, Max hears back from the same patient, enthusiastic recruiter — they made it to the next round! Per the recruiter’s instructions, Max sends their preferences for location (beach-adjacent, please!) and department (F&B or Banquets sound like a fit, given Max’s skillset). Then, Max gets prompted to complete a skills assessment. Taking advantage of schoolwork being light at the moment, Max finishes all the steps and gets back to the recruiter promptly, which seems to help things move pretty fast.

After that, the recruiter schedules a virtual interview for a few days later — thank goodness, because Max needs time to research and prepare, searching tips on STAR interviews online. Max has also never used Microsoft Teams before, so they practice a few times with their roommate to get the lighting and background just right.

That preparation pays off, and Max crushes the interview.

Just one week later… Max has an offer! The position: An F&B Voyager at a beach-adjacent hotel, just as requested! Wow, a real, full-time job at a Fortune 500 company with salary, benefits and a relocation bonus — Marriott is even introducing Max to other Voyagers in the new city for potential future roommates. Max accepts.

It’s only October and graduation isn’t until May — and Max already has an actual, grown-up job lined up. Life is good.

Jump forward a few years, and Max is the Director of Operations at a different hotel with even better beach views. Max has been promoted a handful of times, is very satisfied with their comp and benefits (especially being able to land cheap hotel rates with the Marriott associate travel discount), adores the team culture, and has even been nominated for a corporate leadership development program by their boss. Life is good.

Max is a representation — an amalgamation, if you will — of the thousands of college students who have entered Marriott’s Voyage Program and built robust, successful careers as a result. In addition to being a shining light of opportunity for those with uncertain trajectories (cough cough, Max!), the Voyage Program also serves as the kick-start for students with laser-focused career paths:

• Big dreams of becoming a luxury GM?
• Passionate about finance but bored with banks?
• Hopes of a chef career with maximum stability?

Okay, we’ve convinced you — the Marriott Voyage Program is the best. Now, read this interview with two experts for the U.S. and Canada Voyage Program, Sarah D’Angelo, Director, Talent Acquisition + University Recruitment, and Michael Wiszowaty, Senior Manager, University Relations + Recruiting that respond those FAQs most people have in great detail.

→ Voyage Applications Are Open! Apply for Marriott’s Prestigious Leadership Development Program