Regent Maritime Hotel - Business Bridge - Natalie Muldoon

In her penultimate year at JMU Natalie decided that she wanted to work and, thinking of her future, wanted a job that would be useful experience. Having checked other avenues for work she decided to approach Business Bridge. Although studying for a degree in Media and Cultural Studies, Natalie was keen to get a better understanding of marketing having completed some modules covering this topic as part of her course. Business Bridge staff helped Natalie to prepare her CV and look through available projects

In February 2004 an interview was set up for Natalie with Roslyn Jones, owner of the Regent Maritime Hotel in Bootle. They agreed that Natalie would work at the hotel assessing the marketing strategy. Natalie thought she’d be at the business for up to eight weeks and began working 2 days per week. As work progressed Natalie showed how capable she was and at an appraisal she was asked by Roslyn if she would like to continue working at the hotel covering more aspects of the business. Having agreed to this Natalie set about helping the hotel with its end of year accounts and a three year business plan. In addition the hotel was offering local high school pupils a chance to experience hotel work and Natalie was entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing their work and setting tasks. This gave her valuable management experience and developed her communication skills.

Further, she played a pivotal role in the business successfully obtaining the ISO 14000 qualification which led on to getting the Investors in People award. In addition to this the hotel has been put forward for other awards by Natalie and has won an award for Excellence in Business in the Community and a Groundwork 21 award recognising the improved efficiency in use of energy, water and waste management. As well as doing the work as an ‘extra-curricular activity’ Natalie also used the work for her work based learning module at JMU and worked at the hotel full-time over the summer period via the STEP scheme, gaining her own regional award in second place in recognition of her efforts.

Quite rightly, Natalie feels that this extra effort whilst at University will be viewed favourably by future employers. It illustrates her forward thinking and demonstrates her initiative and drive to become more employable. “Definitely get work experience” is Natalie’s advice to other students, “remember your course comes first but if you help your boss they will help you”. Having now been with Regent Maritime for over a year Natalie feels that it has helped her shape her career path. Already she has been offered a graduate role within the hotel and her experience to date has made her consider self-employment at some point along the line. Natalie now feels more confident, positive and has created a great CV. Assessing her considerable achievements to date she concludes, “How many 22 year olds can say all that?”

Natlie was later voted Student Employee of the Year 2005

The NASES SEOTY awards are held every year and aim to promote students gaining work experience while studying. Lesley Boyle, Chair of NASES, said “It was clear from her nomination form that Natalie had made a tremendous contribution to this organisation, that she achieved so much whilst studying a full time degree should be commended, Natalie is an inspiration to all students, she certainly deserves this award.”