Young learners looking to kickstart their career in hospitality had the chance to network with industry professionals from across the UK at a special event in London.
It was standing room only at the Edge Hotel School’s alumni evening as current Level Six students met with future employers and former students, gathering career advice and work experience opportunities at the London EDITION hotel.
Before the evening began, students were treated to a presentation by London EDITION staff that looked at working within the prestigious group and offered interview advice, with techniques to land the perfect job.
2014 graduate Alice Holah came along to her first alumni event and enjoyed meeting fellow students. She is now working as conference and events supervisor at Bedford Lodge hotel in Newmarket, Suffolk.
Alice said: “I started as a casual conference and events team member. The manager was very pleased with the work I was doing and promoted me last year. We look after conferences, private dinners, wakes and weddings and I love the variety each day brings and the feedback we get is always amazing.
“My degree at Edge Hotel School has given me a real advantage, particularly from the time spent working in every department at Wivenhoe House.”
George Hiley-Jones didn’t have far to come to London EDITION from Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair where he has been promoted to house manager.
George added: “I work very closely with the front office and the reservations team to ensure our guests’ needs are met and the whole operation runs as smoothly as possible.
“I love working at Brown’s, from the moment you walk in it’s a real escape from the outside world and our guests really appreciate it.
“My degree has helped me in every sense as I learnt how to apply the academic theory in a practical situation. There is no other course like it and I can’t speak highly enough of it.”
The Edge Hotel School is based at the University of Essex in Colchester and runs two-year degree programmes in hotel management and events management with hospitality. Students work in the real 4* Wivenhoe House hotel as part of their course, gaining practical, hands on experience in a variety of roles.