Embarking on your career path after college can be both exciting and daunting. Many graduates seek roles that not only offer a competitive Early Career Program Manager Salary but also provide robust training and development opportunities. If you’re aiming for a leadership position right after graduation, particularly within the dynamic hospitality industry, the Marriott Voyage Program deserves your attention. It’s not just a program; it’s a launchpad for your management career, offering a blend of hands-on experience and structured learning that sets you apart.
Meet Alex. Alex, a bright-eyed graduate with a degree in Business Administration, was contemplating their next move. Like many in their shoes, Alex was eager to find a meaningful job that utilized their skills and offered growth potential, but navigating the job market felt overwhelming. Alex enjoyed customer interaction and excelled at organization and leadership roles during university group projects. However, translating these skills into a concrete career path seemed blurry. Hospitality wasn’t initially on Alex’s radar, perceived perhaps as less structured than other industries.
Then, at a university career fair, Alex encountered a Marriott recruiter who introduced them to the Voyage Program. This wasn’t just another entry-level job; it was a 12-18 month program designed to place recent graduates directly into manager-level positions across Marriott’s extensive network of hotels. The program promised not just a salary and benefits, but also comprehensive training and even relocation assistance.
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Intrigued by the prospect of stepping into a leadership role so early in their career, Alex decided to explore further. Could this be the ideal starting point, offering both experience and a competitive early career program manager salary trajectory? They applied online later that day.
The application process moved swiftly. Within hours, Alex received an invitation for a video interview. Feeling prepared from the career fair interaction, Alex confidently recorded their responses, articulating their passion for leadership and customer service, and submitted the interview.
The positive momentum continued. The recruiter reached out again, informing Alex of their advancement to the next stage. Alex then specified their location preferences (city center preferred!) and department interests (Operations or Guest Services seemed aligned with their strengths). This was followed by a skills assessment, which Alex completed promptly, eager to keep the application moving forward.
→ A Guide to the Voyage Application Process for the U.S. and Canada→ Our Interview Advice & Tips for Hopeful Voyage Applicants
A virtual interview was scheduled shortly after. Recognizing the importance of preparation, Alex researched Marriott and the Voyage Program extensively and practiced their virtual interview skills with a friend, ensuring a professional setup and smooth delivery.
This dedication paid off. Alex excelled in the interview.
Just a week later, the exciting news arrived – an offer! Alex was offered a Voyager position in Operations at a bustling city hotel, perfectly matching their preferences. The offer included a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and relocation support. Marriott even facilitated connections with other Voyagers in the city to help with settling in. Alex accepted without hesitation.
By November, months before graduation in May, Alex had secured a full-time, manager-level job with a Fortune 500 company. The Voyage Program was proving to be everything promised and more.
Fast forward a few years, and Alex is now a Senior Operations Manager at a flagship Marriott hotel, boasting even greater city views. Multiple promotions, significant salary increases, and excellent benefits (including Marriott’s employee travel discounts) have marked Alex’s career progression. They are a valued member of a strong team and have been nominated for an executive leadership program. The Voyage Program had indeed been the perfect career catalyst.
Alex’s story is representative of countless graduates who’ve leveraged the Marriott Voyage Program to build thriving careers. It’s not only a fantastic opportunity for those exploring career paths but also a powerful accelerator for individuals with defined ambitions:
- Aspiring to manage large-scale hotel operations?
- Driven by financial management within a hospitality context?
- Envisioning a culinary career with a stable, corporate foundation?
The Marriott Voyage Program stands out as a premier early career program, but what about the specifics? To delve into the details, including the crucial aspect of early career program manager salary, benefits, and eligibility, we consulted Sarah D’Angelo, Director, Talent Acquisition + University Recruitment, and Michael Wiszowaty, Senior Manager, University Relations + Recruiting, for insights into the U.S. and Canada programs.
Let’s address the frequently asked questions to provide a clearer picture of what the Voyage Program offers.
Origins and Evolution of the Marriott Voyage Program
Sarah explains the program’s rich history: “Marriott has a long-standing commitment to management training, evolving through various iterations. Voyage emerged in 2012 from this legacy. We recognized the need to enhance our training to provide a more comprehensive onboarding and development experience, truly nurturing future leaders.”
Voyage Program: Internship or Full-Time Role?
Sarah clarifies a critical distinction: “Voyage is definitively NOT an internship. As a Voyager, you are a manager from day one. You’ll often supervise teams and undertake genuine management responsibilities. It’s designed as a bridge from academia to the professional world – your first real, full-time leadership role post-graduation.” This distinction is important for graduates seeking immediate, impactful roles with commensurate early career program manager salary expectations.
Global Reach and International Opportunities
Sarah details the program’s international scope: “Voyage operates in over 50 countries. However, work authorization is essential for each country. Marriott does not sponsor work visas for the Voyage Program in the U.S. We advise starting your Voyage journey in your country of citizenship or where you already possess work authorization.”
Voyager Eligibility Criteria
Sarah outlines the eligibility requirements: “Voyagers must have work authorization in the country of application. Candidates should be graduating seniors pursuing a bachelor’s degree or recent graduates who’ve obtained their bachelor’s degree within the last 24 months. This focused window ensures the program remains an entry-level leadership opportunity.”
Program Duration: Voyage Program
Sarah specifies the program length: “The Voyage Program typically spans 12 months in the U.S. and Canada, potentially extending up to 18 months in other international locations.”
Marriott Voyage Program Salary Expectations
Sarah addresses the key question of compensation, vital for anyone considering an early career program manager salary: “Salary varies depending on location and chosen discipline. However, the starting annual salary is no less than $45,450. In locations like NYC and in specialized roles like accounting, it can reach up to $76,230.” This competitive starting salary underscores the program’s value proposition.
Typical Voyager Work Schedule
Sarah describes the expected work schedule: “Voyagers are generally scheduled for 40-hour work weeks, though this can fluctuate based on hotel demands. Overtime eligibility applies, offering opportunities for increased earnings. Given the 24/7 nature of the hospitality industry, Voyagers should anticipate working weekends and holidays, which is inherent to hotel operations.”
Benefits Package for Marriott Voyagers
Sarah highlights the comprehensive benefits: “As full-time Marriott associates, Voyagers are entitled to the full spectrum of Marriott’s employee benefits. This includes relocation assistance, support in finding roommates prior to program commencement, and, for select departments like Culinary and Engineering, sign-on bonuses.”
Kelly Loss Photography
Remote Work Opportunities within Voyage
Sarah clarifies the in-person nature of most roles: “Hotel operations are fundamentally in-person. Exceptional customer service and efficient housekeeping require on-site presence. Therefore, approximately 99% of Voyage roles are in-person. A very limited number of Sales Voyager positions are remote, but these are highly competitive, representing only 1% of Voyager hires. The Voyage Program is designed to get your career started within Marriott, and internal mobility is readily available for future career shifts.”
Voyage Program Start Dates
Sarah provides start date flexibility: “We offer start dates in January, February, June, July, and a few in September. Voyagers can commence their roles shortly after graduation. For instance, May graduates can typically start in June or July, accommodating summer plans.”
Voyager Hiring Volume
Michael shares the program’s scale: “In the 2022-23 academic year, we received over 6,700 applications and hired more than 600 Voyagers.” This selectivity and volume underscore the program’s prestige and reach.
Kelly Loss Photography
Disciplinary Diversity within the Program
Michael emphasizes inclusivity: “The program isn’t limited to hospitality majors. Disciplines encompass Rooms Operations, Front Office, Food & Beverage, Event Management, Accounting & Finance, Culinary, Human Resources, Facilities Management, Revenue Management, Sales, Housekeeping, and Banquets.”
Sarah adds detail regarding specific disciplines: “For Culinary roles, we seek culinary arts degrees or significant kitchen experience. Culinary Voyagers work in kitchen environments, requiring essential knife skills and culinary training. For Facilities Management Engineers (responsible for hotel maintenance), we look for relevant experience or degrees in facilities management, as skills in HVAC or plumbing systems are valuable. Accounting & Finance roles suit accounting majors or minors. While other majors are considered, a background in accounting is beneficial for this managerial accounting-focused track.”
Voyage Program Curriculum and Development
Michael describes the program’s structure: “During your Voyage year, you’ll deeply engage in your chosen discipline and experience other areas through departmental rotations. While primarily focused on your discipline (95% of your time), you’ll gain exposure to others. The Voyage curriculum complements hands-on learning with specific discipline and departmental training modules. Crucially, Voyagers benefit from monthly meetings with their Property Coach (direct manager) and quarterly meetings with their Property Champion (executive hotel member). These sessions ensure robust support and knowledge acquisition for a successful Marriott career.”
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The Marriott Voyage Program offers a compelling pathway for recent graduates seeking a fast-track into management with a solid early career program manager salary and exceptional growth opportunities within a global leader in hospitality.
