After graduating from QRC in 2019, Annabelle began her career in hospitality at the Grand Mercure in Auckland while also exploring opportunities in e-commerce and digital marketing.
Applying the skills she developed during her diploma, Annabelle built successful e-commerce ventures, worked with major TikTok influencers in the US, and transitioned into marketing and sales consulting, supporting businesses worldwide.
As the workforce reopened after COVID, she quickly progressed into senior marketing roles and now works as an Account Manager (Digital Marketing Specialist) at Attention Agency.
Why did you choose to study Hospitality Management?
- I thought the Hospitality Management Diploma at QRC was the perfect course to learn a combination of life skills through the practical learning but also learn a bit of everything from a theory perspective. The idea of also having the 9-month internship was a huge thing for me to be able to get consistent work experience and learn so much from that as well. People skills, problem solving, staying cool calm and collected when things got stressful.
What was the most memorable part of your time at QRC?
- My final 6 months were the most memorable as everyone was coming back together after being out on their internships for 9 months. We had some really interesting classes, and I had some great experiences with my intake from skiing to nights out and exploring the south island.
Where did you complete your internship, what was your role there?
- I completed my internship at the Grand Mercure (Now Movenpick Hotel) in Auckland CBD. I was a guest service agent there and continued working in that role after finishing my final 6 months at QRC. One of the key things I learned there was people skills. From working with other staff members and realising everyone has a different approach to things and also everyone’s learning styles as well. From a guest point of view, I learnt so much about the importance of certain things for guests, as well as adapting to different personality types and tough situations.
Tell us about your journey post QRC – Where have you worked, travelled, studied?
- I would say my journey isn’t necessarily a typical journey after finishing university, with COVID being a big part of it. The pivot I did to working for myself and running dropshipping businesses and tapping into an untapped concept and market has certainly helped me put me where I am today. I worked for myself for 2 years during COVID running 3 dropshipping businesses, building dropshipping businesses for people worldwide and then running my own consulting business helping small to medium businesses worldwide with their marketing and sales.
- Over the last couple of years I have travelled to Europe, London, Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand), Bali and Australia.
Where are you working now?
- Currently I am working at a company called The Attention Agency as an Account Manager, Digital Marketing Specialist. We specialise in B2B Digital Marketing for our clients.
Can you share a proud moment from your career?
- My proudest moment is making it on my own and having the determination and drive during COVID to do my own thing and keep working at it. Countless hours, energy and work going into a brand I was so passionate about and seeing it succeed is a significant achievement and also seeing it help me see the world, get on the property ladder and achieve other things in my life.
How did QRC prepare you for the challenges of your career?
- I think the beauty of QRC is you learn so many skills. You learn everything from cheffing to accounting, law to being a barista as well as gaining work experience, which is so valuable and also extremely rare, to help you get that head start in your career.
- QRC also helped to prepare me for opportunities to give back to the community. The hospitality course and working in the hospitality industry helps you learn how to work with different people. Everyone has different opinions and ways of working or approaching scenarios. That has definitely helped me in my career but also helped me significantly with volunteering at my hockey club. In my role as Women’s Divisional Club Captain, I work with over 100 women to place them in teams and run trials, with age groups from 16 – 75, which isn’t necessarily easy, but I think QRC and my experience in hospitality has helped me do this role with a cool and calm approach.
What did you love most about working in the Hospitality industry?
- When working in hospitality, I loved working with different people and learning about different cultures, why people wanted to travel and see New Zealand as well as helping people plan their activities and travel.
What excites you about the future of Hospitality?
- I think we have had a big dip in the industry in New Zealand as a result of COVID – it’s exciting to see the bounce back not only just in Auckland but throughout New Zealand. People investing in fitouts for their restaurants, cafes and seeing the passion back in the industry and the public out and about, enjoying good food, good drinks and music.
Do you have any advice for prospective students considering QRC?
I would say it is the perfect course to do if you are 100% set on the hospitality industry but also the perfect course if you’re not sure what you want to do in your career because of the variety of things you learn and get to do within this diploma.
What advice would you give current QRC students?
Say yes to every opportunity and try new things! Being at QRC is the time to study hard – but also make sure to enjoy and explore everything Queenstown has to offer.
Any exciting plans for the future?
I’m really excited about my current job and the opportunities it is providing me from working with incredible clients, learning so much about some niche clients and as well as the AI space and how that is changing how we operate and work on a daily basis. I’m also excited for my progression and continuation in my Women’s Divisional Club Captain role and being able to give back to my community and hopefully some more travel over the coming years.
