Checking Into Success
Every summer during her childhood, Emma Cyr ’24 flew across the country from her home in Minnesota to visit her grandparents in Connecticut. That's how she developed a passion for travel, which continued with family trips and even solo trips. But no matter where she went, she always stayed in hotels.
On her solo adventures, Cyr never felt alone. Chatting with front desk staff and housekeepers at accommodations, she made connections and felt safe in her surroundings. The hotels felt like a second home.
Caitlin Reale ’24, a hospitality major with a concentration in events management, echoes the same passion for hotels as Cyr.
A lifelong aspiring wedding planner, she first pursued an internship at The Mansion at the Hellenic Center in Ipswich, Mass., assisting with weddings throughout the summer. Upon completing her second internship at the Inn At Castle Hill in Ipswich, she realized that she loved the hotel industry slightly more.
But when she obtained her semester internship at the seaside Beauport Hotel in Gloucester, Mass., Reale never expected to have her two interests unintentionally merge. A 94-room hotel, the Beauport boasts a wedding venue in the same location.
Reale worked at the front desk welcoming guests, many of whom arrived for weddings. She would make sure the rooms had everything they needed, especially for the bride and groom.
“I appreciate it when people want to celebrate with us at the hotel. They could have chosen so many other places,” said Reale. “We always like to thank them for celebrating with us. We give them just a little something extra and it can go a long way and make their day even more special.”
For Cyr, who is concentrating in hotel management, those personal connections also became her
favorite part of the job.
After completing internships at Villa Hygge Hotel in North Conway, N.H., and the Marriott Hotel in Marlborough, Mass., Cyr realized that she preferred boutique independent hotels.
“I love the smaller feel. I like being able to make connections with the guests. I see them over and over, and I learn them by name,” she said. “Just creating that more personable aspect to their stay, and knowing that I'm having a big impact on their time.”
Working with Internship Faculty Mariellen Fidrych, Cyr was able to secure her fall 2023 semester internship at Hotel Salem, a small 44-room hotel located in the heart of downtown Salem, Mass. As a Guest Services Associate, Cyr managed the front desk, checking guests in and out, as well as dealing with any issues that arose.
Cyr was also assigned to room inspections, making sure they looked presentable for patrons. If a guest was celebrating a birthday, she would personally write a card and leave cookies.
A monumental tourist destination in October, Cyr got to experience the hustle and bustle of Halloween in Salem, and the hotel was completely booked for the entire month with guests from both near and far.
Cyr remembered encountering a couple from Australia, who were looking for recommendations on what to do in the city. Putting her head together with one of her co-workers, she tailored a whole itinerary to what they wanted.
“They were at the desk with us for thirty minutes just telling us about their day,” said Cyr. “Just knowing that I had a part in helping them create that made me feel so good. That's what I love and want to continue to do.”
Of course, hospitality isn't all fun—it's also about risk management and handling guest disputes, which Endicott helps prepare all hospitality majors for, explained Reale.
“When I would be walking around the hotel, if I saw something not right, I would go back to taking a class and realize I have to do something about it. Just make it a good environment,” she said.
Coming out of her internship at the Hotel Salem, Cyr said she learned to be more confident in herself. In her previous internships, she was unsure of her actions, including speaking to guests. Now, she’s realized that she can just be herself and show her personality.
Looking towards graduation, Cyr has been in conversation with the CEO of Lark Hotels, which operates Hotel Salem.
“All I really know for sure is that I want to be in hotels, and I want to constantly be helping people make their vacations or even their staycations the best that they can be,” she said.
For Reale, her internship at the Beauport became a model of what she would like her career to look like—and she's already received an offer of employment post-graduation.
“The most valuable thing I've gained from Endicott is being able to have so many different experiences through my internships,” said Reale. “I couldn't imagine having no experience at all throughout these four years and then having to go into the real world with not knowing anything. I feel really prepared to be successful.”