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Graduate in accelerated leadership program
A University of the Sunshine Coast business graduate is fast-tracking her career after being accepted into a 12-month accelerated leadership program at a first-class resort at Surfer’s Paradise.
Annyse McLaren, 21, of Narangba, graduated with USC’s Bachelor of Business (Tourism, Leisure and Event Management) in September, and is now based at the Crowne Plaza Hotel taking part in the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) I-Grad program.
Places in the highly-competitive program are awarded to university graduates who have demonstrated leadership potential in the tourism industry.
Annyse, who was captain of St Columban’s College at Caboolture in 2006, said she was thrilled to be offered a position after undergoing a six-month recruitment process which consisted of interviews, online testing, assessments and presentations.
“I was able to draw on knowledge from my USC degree and my experience working in the hospitality industry and apply it to different stages of the recruitment process,” she said.
“It was important for me to stay focused and confident throughout the process and let my personality and natural passion for the tourism industry shine through.”
Annyse said the program would allow her to develop her own projects in the hotel’s three key operational areas while being mentored by the hotel’s senior leaders.
She was confident her selection in the IHG program and her academic achievements would lead to a management job in the near future.
“I aim to advance towards a human resource management role and would love to have experience working overseas,” she said.
“I am fortunate that my USC degree and employment with IHG means I am equipped with the knowledge, training and ideal working environment in which I am able to achieve my professional goals.”
— Michelle Widdicombe