Just graduated: Manon Merks [F 2022]
'I have learned a lot from living in Prague, which meant a great deal to both my personal and professional development.'
After her final internship she chose working at Mews over a Master. Manon Merks [F 2022] was surprised that, after struggling with financial topics during her studies at HMSM, she felt most attracted to finance after the trainee program at Mews.
What were your plans after graduation?
After graduating, I had two main options: to continue my education with a master's degree or to start working in the hospitality industry. I chose the second whilst I was completing my graduation internship at Mews. I was so impressed by their vision and innovation, I decided I was not ready to leave the company yet. I realized that I wanted to be part of their journey and learn from the unique developments they are currently going through.
My goal now is to grow professionally within Mews and discover my true strengths and interests. I also remain open to pursuing further education in the future if it can benefit my career development.
How did you end up on your first job?
My first job was a natural transition of my internship at Mews, where I participated in the Mews Growth Program (MGP). This program exposed me to different aspects of the business, such as Customer Support, System Deployment, Finance, and HR. It was a valuable experience that helped me understand how Mews operates and what makes it successful.
Among all the departments, I was most attracted to Finance, which was a surprise for me. I used to struggle with financial concepts during my Hotel Management studies, but at Mews, I found them fascinating and challenging. I decided to pursue a career in Finance and I have been enjoying it ever since.
What are important qualities your future employer/manager should have?
One of the reasons why I love working at Mews is that they share my values and vision for the hospitality industry. They are always looking for ways to improve and innovate, and they encourage their employees to do the same. They also have a great culture of trust and transparency, which I appreciate a lot. I think these qualities are essential for any employer or manager, as they create a positive and productive work environment.
Moreover, I believe that effective communication is a key skill for any successful manager. It involves knowing how to listen, how to speak up, how to escalate issues, and how to set boundaries by saying 'no'. Another vital skill is a manager's ability to delegate tasks and trust their team. I have enjoyed a high level of autonomy in my role, which has boosted my confidence and motivation. This style of management, without micromanagement, has helped me grow personally and professionally.
Where do you see yourself in three years’ time?
In three years, I hope to have a significant impact on Mews' development - with the company planning to achieve exponential growth in the market. It will be an exciting challenge, and I would love to support the financial aspects of that transformation. I am very excited about the opportunities and challenges that await me at Mews. I hope to continue growing my skills and knowledge, as well as contributing to the success of the company and its customers.
Besides that, I would also like to explore opportunities in different locations - either going back to the Netherlands or discovering another exciting destination. I have learned a lot from living in Prague, which meant a great deal to both my personal and professional development.
What are important qualities your future employer/manager should have?
One of the reasons why I love working at Mews is that they share my values and vision for the hospitality industry. They are always looking for ways to improve and innovate, and they encourage their employees to do the same. They also have a great culture of trust and transparency, which I appreciate a lot. I think these qualities are essential for any employer or manager, as they create a positive and productive work environment.
Moreover, I believe that effective communication is a key skill for any successful manager. It involves knowing how to listen, how to speak up, how to escalate issues, and how to set boundaries by saying 'no'. Another vital skill is a manager's ability to delegate tasks and trust their team. I have enjoyed a high level of autonomy in my role, which has boosted my confidence and motivation. This style of management, without micromanagement, has helped me grow personally and professionally.
What are important qualities your future employer/manager should have?
One of the valuable aspects of my studies was learning from the guest speakers who were alumni of the program. They showed me the diverse and exciting career paths that were possible with my degree. During my internship I discovered all the alumni of Maastricht in Mews and I was impressed by this. Some of them are:
• Nienke Wilbrink [F 2020], a Junior Product Manager who oversees the development of new features and improvements in Mews systems (the Property Management System)
• Merel van Zuiden [F 2020], a Customer Success Manager who ensures the satisfaction and retention of Mews customers
• Magritte Verkruijsse [F 1998], the Director of Partner Success who manages the relationships with enterprise brands and strategic partners
• Ilse Kous [F 2003], a former Mews employee who played a key role in launching the MGP program and held various positions in the company
These alumni demonstrated how I could leverage my academic background to make a positive impact in a dynamic and innovative organization. I also admired the alumni from other hotel management schools who worked at Mews, such as the CEO who graduated from Hotelschool The Hague, and the colleagues from Stenden and Les Roches. They showed me how a shared passion for hospitality could unite people from different backgrounds and cultures.
