Paige Shippie
Two bachelor’s degrees & a passion for hospitality management
In her six years as an Endicott Gull, Paige Shippie accomplished a list of accolades—most notably, earning two bachelor’s degrees—the first in English & creative writing in 2016, and the second in hospitality management in 2019. After having a moment of clarity in 2017, Shippie decided to return to her alma mater to pursue her passion through a second bachelor’s at an accelerated pace of two years.
Why hospitality management?
The most interesting piece of hospitality to me is the stewardship. It’s about psychology and dealing with people and experiences. It’s about magic. It’s about happiness.
How did Endicott’s internship program benefit you?
Endicott’s internship program is extremely beneficial. Without the internships, I wouldn’t have made the connections that I did. Hospitality management is one of those degrees where it’s all about experiential learning. The internships that I completed, in addition to the part-time jobs I held during the summer, I could apply and transfer to what I was learning in the classroom, at La Chanterelle, and at Misselwood.
What are your plans for after Commencement?
I’ll be continuing my management in training internship at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, Mass., through Les Roche until mid-August and then hopefully, there’s a vacant position at the Hawthorne. If not, then I will continue to apply for other positions in management. I would like to be a front office manager.
After that, I would like to work my way up into operations, overseeing food and beverage, housekeeping, and the front office. As someone who likes to know everyone on a first-name basis, I’d prefer to stay with smaller hotels where I can continue to build those relationships with staff and guests.
What will be going through your mind as you walk across the stage at Commencement?
This time, I’ll be saying ‘wow, I earned a lot.’