QRC Hospitality Management graduate Matt O’Brien has built an inspiring career across hotels, airlines, and people leadership.
Since graduating, Matt’s career has taken him from Assistant Manager at The Cullen Hotel in Melbourne, to Cabin Manager at Qantas, and now to People and Culture Manager at Accor. Today, he looks after three leading Auckland hotels – SO/, TRIBE, and JO&JOE – combining his passion for people, culture, and service in a new way.
Read on to discover Matt’s alumni success story and hospitality career journey.
Why did you choose to study Hospitality Management?
- I was not quite sure what path I wanted to study at university, or if I wanted to go to university at all. QRC offered a diploma in something I was passionate about and offered a whole lot of fun at the same time.
What was the most memorable part of your time at QRC?
- The friendships and adventures that the course offered while learning. I also really enjoyed the afternoon wine studies classes – they were the best!
Where did you complete your internship?
- I was a receptionist working for Art Series Hotel Group in Australia. I was working in The Larwill Studio throughout my internship, which was actually located in the same building as the Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital. As you can imagine, we had guests staying for all types of reasons. That is where I realised the difference between sympathy and empathy.
Tell us about your journey post QRC – Where have you worked, travelled, studied? What have you been doing since QRC?
- Since leaving QRC, I moved back to Sydney and began working for QT Hotels. Not long after, the Cullen Hotel in Melbourne (where my internship Front Office Manager had been promoted to General Manager), offered me an Assistant Manager position, so I made the move back there.
- When COVID hit, I was made redundant and decided to return to New Zealand to be closer to family. During that time, I chose to upskill and pursued a Bachelor of Business majoring in Human Resource Management and Employment Relations, combining my love for people with a more strategic career path.
- As the borders reopened, I applied for a role as a Flight Attendant with Qantas and was fortunate to be selected. I spent two years travelling to incredible destinations, meeting people from all walks of life, and eventually progressed to Business Class and then Cabin Manager.
Where are you working now?
- I’ve since transitioned back into the hospitality industry and into the world of Human Resources, where I now work as a People and Culture Manager looking after three hotels – SO/ Auckland, TRIBE Auckland and JO&JOE Auckland, combining my passion for people, culture, and service in a completely new way.
Can you share a proud moment or significant achievement from your career?
- One of my proudest moments was being promoted to Cabin Manager with Qantas after just two years of flying. It was an incredible feeling to lead a team at 35,000 feet and create memorable experiences for people from all over the world. More recently, stepping into the world of People and Culture and helping open new hotels has been another huge milestone, being part of the journey that builds a team and a culture from the ground up is something I’m really proud of.
How did QRC prepare you for the challenges of your career?
- QRC gave me the best possible start; it taught me how to be adaptable, resilient, and confident in any situation. The balance of theory and hands-on experience prepared me for the real world in ways a traditional classroom never could. I learned how to work with people from all backgrounds, handle pressure with a smile, and bring professionalism to everything I do.
What do you love most about working in the Hospitality industry?
- I love that no two days are ever the same. The industry is built around people, their stories, their experiences and their moments. Whether it’s making someone’s stay special, leading a team, or creating a great workplace culture, there’s an energy and connection in hospitality that you don’t find anywhere else. It’s an industry that keeps you growing, constantly learning, and always on your toes.
What excites you about the future of Hospitality?
- Hospitality is incredibly exciting, especially how experience-driven travel is becoming the focus. Guests are looking for connection, sustainability, and authenticity, and that opens up so much creativity in how we deliver service and tell our stories.
Do you have any advice for prospective students considering QRC?
- Do it! QRC opens doors you didn’t even know existed. If you’re passionate about people, travel, or leadership, it’s the perfect launchpad. You’ll graduate not just with a qualification, but with confidence, life experience, and a network that genuinely supports you.
What advice would you give current QRC students?
- Say yes to every opportunity, even the ones that scare you. Those experiences are often the ones that shape your career the most.
Any exciting plans for the future?
- Absolutely! There are a few exciting changes happening at the moment, and I’m right in the middle of a really rewarding chapter, helping open new hotels and growing some amazing teams here in New Zealand. The great thing about hospitality is that it can take you anywhere, it’s an international language.
Learn more about our Adventure Tourism Management and Hospitality Management Diplomas.
