CBU Alumna Flourishes in Opportunities Abroad

It sounds like the plot of a movie; a young woman from an island in the Atlantic ocean who travels Europe while working as an Event Manager in England. It’s not a movie, but life as she knows it, for CBU alumna Megan Capstick. Megan graduated from Cape Breton University in 2005 with a Hospitality Tourism Management Diploma, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a concentration in Tourism Marketing Management in 2006.

During her time at CBU, Megan worked for two terms at the Fairmont Algonquin in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, as part of the hospitality program internship component, where she gained practical skills and experience that complemented her studies. Upon completing her diploma in May 2005, Megan was awarded the Glenda Smith Memorial Award, which is awarded to a student who has an outstanding record in leadership, scholarship and character.

During the final semester of her BBA degree, Megan studied in Nice, France, at the IPag Business School through CBU’s Study Abroad Program. By the time Megan graduated from the BBA program in October 2006, she had already begun the Marriott Voyage Graduate Management Program. As part of the program, Megan worked in Sales in various regions of England including Newcastle Upon Tyne, Durham, Sunderland & Gateshead. After completing the two year graduate program, Megan was offered a Senior Event Manager position at the MetroCentre Marriott in Gateshead, which she happily accepted.

After working in that role for two years, she was ready for a new challenge and started looking for her next opportunity. Megan found this new challenge in Manchester at Worsley Park, a Marriott Hotel & Country Club where she now works as Senior Event Manager.

The Tourism Diploma at CBU provided Megan with hands-on experience, working in kitchens and learning all aspects of the hospitality industry. Small class sizes and meaningful relationships with instructors and professors helped Megan succeed. “They were all really approachable and helpful” says Megan. “I still keep in touch with a few of them.”

Megan is the star of her own show, managing a team of seven, including three event executives, a wedding coordinator, two group coordinators and golf and sport executives. Megan also works with the revenue departments and Director of Sales to decide on revenue and sales strategy for the hotel. In her spare time since moving to Europe, she has done a lot of travelling, taking advantage of the easy access to rail and air travel. She’s travelled all over England, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome and more.