Stephen McPhillips, Graduated in 2018, ITTM

My four years at Ulster University studying International Travel and Tourism Management were the best years of my life. This degree gave me the opportunity to meet an amazing range of people, learn in-depth about the local and international travel, tourism, and hospitality industries that are continuously growing around us, and my personal favourite part was the opportunity to learn hands-on during a placement year. I spent my year away at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida as a Cultural Representative getting to work with one of the biggest tourism/hospitality companies in the world, which led me to come back to my final year of studies with more knowledge than ever and helped me excel through the final year and gain first-class honours.  ​

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After graduating, I was able to use my degree and my work experience with Disney that UU helped me achieve, to gain a job with Galgorm Collection at their Galgorm Resort, and within 2 months move my way up to managerial positions within Conferencing & Banqueting, followed by a further promotion to Restaurant Manager.  ​

Currently, The Walt Disney Company has invited me back out to do a further year with them in my old position with the extra job role of being a core trainer for new cast members. After this, I’m back to climbing my career ladder with Galgorm next year in 2023! I know this was only possible due to my experience, knowledge, and attitude that I gained through my four years with Ulster University, and if I could do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat!