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As you enter , you’ll be taken in by the sophisticated appeal of its modern details and high-end furnishings encased in the old-world charm of a 19th century building. Named “#13 Best Hotel in New England" by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler and “#1 Hotel in Providence” by Tripadvisor, The Beatrice is an independent boutique hotel in the core of the city — and just a short walk from ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø Providence’s Downcity Campus.

The Beatrice boasts another impressive draw beyond its aesthetic appeal — its management team is made up of ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø alums. In fact, General Manager Jennifer Curtin ’13, who handles everything from leading the guest experience to marketing and revenue management, joined the hotel’s pre-opening team in 2020 to manage its 2021 opening and develop its upscale guest experience. From the start, Curtin has intentionally hired ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø alumni and students to join her team that keeps the hotel’s exceptional guest experience at the highest level. The connection of ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø to The Beatrice benefits both institutions.

Why The Beatrice Hotel Hires ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø Alums and Students

As a ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø alum, Curtin knows from experience the type of education students receive and the career preparation and networking opportunities they have. That background has given her the insight to know a good prospective hire when she meets one.

"We’ve always had quite a few ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø alumni and students working for us. They're passionate about the industry and they signed up for this to be their career, which is invaluable, and you can feel that when they walk in for an interview."

“A previous employee and ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø student had an interview approach that's rare nowadays. She printed her résumé, walked through the door, asked to shake my hand and introduced herself, which was so powerful. I was so impressed that I handed her résumé to the hiring manager and said, ‘This is a good one — make sure this interview is set up right away.’ That’s what I'm looking for in people.” 

How ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø Helped Prepare the Team for Success

The ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø-connected team members at the hotel revealed how their hands-on education and opportunities for real experience has been vital for their careers.

Curtin, who worked her way up to her current role at the Beatrice, honed her skills at some of the country’s top, high-end luxury hotels in Cape Cod, Aspen, Boston and Seattle, shared how ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø helped prepare her for her current role.

“What I love most about ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø’s curriculum is being in the classroom Monday through Thursday but having Friday as time for internships and jobs. That's brilliant in itself — giving students the opportunity to pair what they learn in class with onsite experiences. When I was learning something in a class and then putting it into practice in a hotel — it was a lot harder to think and act on your feet in real life than when you're in a classroom with more time to think things through. That opportunity absolutely helped me in my career.”

Operations Manager Yunwoo Tim Chung ’16, ’19 MBA came to the United States as an international student and investigated various degree options at schools within and outside of the United States. “What really stood out to me about ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø was the internship program. I truly believe that to thrive in the hospitality industry you need to gain more experience than you would for other industries because you are dealing directly with people. Being able to earn credit for gaining experience is one reason I chose ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø over other universities."

“ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø gives me the perfect balance of theory and practice," explains Guest Services Supervisor Sam Gibbs ’26. “My coursework in service operations, leadership and business management directly applies to my day-to-day role, while projects and experiential learning have taught me how to adapt quickly in real-world scenarios. Career fairs and networking events have also been invaluable, as has hearing directly from industry professionals through guest lectures — these gave me insight I could apply immediately. The connections I’ve made have opened doors I might not have found otherwise.” 

“ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø gave me a foundational background that I’ve been able to apply at The Beatrice,” says Night Auditor Maya Lal ’24, ’26 MBA. “I also gained experience as an undergraduate through an internship at the Newport Marriott that helped because I didn't have any hotel experience at the time. I learned about the back of the house setting which I can now combine with my work at The Beatrice’s front desk — combining the two helps me better understand how the hotel operates overall.” 

Explore The College of Hospitality & Business

Why The Beatrice is a Unique Learning Environment

For students and alums looking for their first hotel position or a new role to grow their career, The Beatrice is in a better position than larger properties or chains to offer learning scenarios beyond the usual routes. As a smaller, boutique property, there is more opportunity for mentorship and developing specialized interests.

“By the nature of us being independently run, operated and managed, hotel students can be exposed to a lot of opportunities that they might not have at a larger hotel,” shares Curtin. “We previously had an employee who joined us as a front desk agent, but her passion was marketing. I involved her in our marketing, had her sit in on marketing calls and talked her through everything that was happening from a marketing perspective. I couldn't give her a marketing position per se, but I was able to get her involved and give her exposure to marketing.”

Advice for Students with a Passion for the Hotel Industry

With their professional experience and ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø education, the team offered some advice for students who are passionate about a hotel industry career.

“Get experience in a hotel; it's a fabulous industry where you don't need years of experience to get started,” says Curtin. “Gaining experience is as equally powerful as what you'll learn in class because what you learn in class takes shape when you try to put it into motion working in the industry. Also, trying different types of hotel environments while still in school is important — it gives you the opportunity to understand where you fit in and which hotel environment you're most passionate about working in.”

“I would say the boutique and luxury hotel settings are rapidly growing within the hotel industry. One of the most important skills you need to thrive in a luxury property is being able to build personal relationships with your clientele,” notes Chung. While working in this industry, I've learned that having efficient communication skills is vital for dealing with guests and employees. Lastly, gain experience through an internship or part-time job — you need to know how to read the room and how to satisfy people. Nothing outweighs personal experience.”

“Say ‘yes’ to opportunities — even the ones that scare you,” advises Gibbs. “The more you experience the different sides of hotel operations, the more valuable you’ll be. And remember, hospitality is about people; treat every interaction as a chance to create a genuine connection.” 

Trends and Insights students should know about

Staying current with the latest aspects of the industry is a priority for succeeding in hospitality. Here’s some insight on what’s happening now in the hotel sector.

“You need to know about the technology end of hospitality — whether that's artificial intelligence or automating processes,” states Curtin. “I would be lying if I said it wasn't relevant and something that we use. But for the style of The Beatrice, we focus on making sure the guest experience is very hands on and personalized. I try to be thoughtful about not letting technology or automated resources take over.”

“One example of this is when our web developer said he could implement a chat bot on our website that could respond without any manpower. We're not doing that because the special touch a guest receives by speaking to one of our local front desk or reservation agents here in Providence is what sets us apart.” 

“Guests want experiences that feel tailor-made, and technology plays a huge role in making that possible. Students should be comfortable with property management systems, guest engagement tools and mobile service platforms. At the same time, the human touch is irreplaceable, so honing empathy, adaptability and communication skills is just as important.”

A Win-Win Relationship for Both

ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏÍø’s connection with The Beatrice is a living example of how students can take what they learn in class, internships and other real-life experiences into their careers — whether they are just starting out or moving into leadership roles. The Beatrice benefits from access to students and alums with a passion for hospitality and dedication to their craft. Together, they’re creating standout careers and unforgettable guest experiences.

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