After understanding how each subteam works together and how every department is so interconnected, it was eye-opening to see what job positions I could have.
Name: Riya Kadaru
Major: Electrical Engineering
Employer: Marriott International
Location: Bethesda, MD
Major: Electrical Engineering
Employer: Marriott International
Location: Bethesda, MD
How did you find the internship/co-op? What was the interview process like? I found my internship through a family friend who told me that Marriott was hiring and was able to give me a referral. Considering it was my first time going through an internship interview process, I was a little nervous at first, but my hiring manager was super nice.
What have been the most interesting aspects of your internship? The most interesting aspect of the internship would be the intern events Marriott had planned for us. First, there were hotel tours. We toured four hotels ranging from Fairfield Inn to the Ritz Carlton in DC. Second, the global technology department organized an intern picnic, so I got to meet all the interns in that department. I met a few from UMD too! Third, we were able to look at room samples and how rooms are designed. We looked at almost every room type possible and even got to see the unrealized ones too. Lastly, we got a food tasting that was prepared by the chefs working in the experimental kitchen.
How would you describe the company culture? What was the most helpful thing your supervisor did to make you feel comfortable at the organization? Since Marriott International is a hospitality company, every employee and intern hired was so welcoming and helpful. The team I worked with was mostly remote, so my manager wanted me to come into the office on the days when the senior manager on the team came in. He introduced me to people and gave me a tour of the floor.
Was there a formal program for all interns at the company? Was peer support available throughout the internship? There was a formal two-day internship welcome event. On the first day of the event, the intern recruiting team went over the basics such as IDs, payroll, and benefits. I also got an entire tour of the headquarters. On the second day, I was able to meet my manager and get lunch with him. I was able to get my laptop and my credentials to start with my account setup. Peer support was very easy to find. You could email the internship team or just send a message through Microsoft Teams to your manager. The response time was super quick, so that was a bonus!
How have your career or academic goals changed as a result of this internship experience? My career goals have changed after this internship. I didn't even think that I could work in hospitality until I got hired. After understanding how each subteam works together and how every department is so interconnected, it was eye-opening to see what job positions I could have. I didn't even know the team I worked with, which was the Network Architecture Team, existed since I'd never heard of it.
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