Nationality: Spanish
LR program: Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality
Specialization: Events Management
Graduation: December 2014
Current role: Deputy Manager at Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento
Internships play a big part in Les Roches programs, equipping students with valuable real-life experience. One student who excelled through this was Marta López Cervilla, who credits her two internships for giving her the knowledge and skills she needed to progress in the hospitality industry. This has helped her rise to the role of Deputy Manager at leading hotel Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento.
Marta’s first-hand experience of hospitality came at The Landmark in London. [quote]My first internship played an important role in my life,” she said. “It was my first contact with the real industry, and helped me discover hospitality was my passion. I understood that in order to become a manager, you need to start at the bottom and gain the necessary knowledge.[/quote]
Returning to the Landmark for her second internship, Marta continued to hone her skills. “It placed me closer to individual guests, helping me develop the skills needed to solve difficult situations,” she said. “It made me grow as a person and as a professional. I discovered a new culture, learnt a new language and gained independence.”
In her current position, Marta is in charge of conducting regular operations team meetings, reviewing guests’ satisfaction and supporting the Hotel General Manager. Her aim is to become a GM within four years’ time, preferably at her current workplace. “Barceló Hotels invest in people,” she said. “They have hotels around the world, and the possibilities to move from one to another are infinite.”
Marta recommends Les Roches to anyone looking to succeed in hospitality. “Les Roches taught me the basic knowledge I needed to face the real hospitality world,” she said. “It gives students the chance to meet people from around the world and build an important network. It was the place where I discovered my passion for hospitality. I will always have good memoires about it.”
