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ALUMNI SUCCESS

Mirela Raič
RIT Croatia Class of 2011
Tourism, Hospitality and Service Management

Employer:  Marriott International - Dubai Marriott Cluster

Job title: Public Relations and Marketing Communications Executive


 
My interest in public relations and marketing started during my first year of RIT Croatia. I joined the newly formed PR club and was recommended for a co-op at Dubrovnik Summer Festival, the oldest cultural festival in Europe. I spent the next four seasons assisting the PR and Marketing Manager and realized I would like to pursue a career in the field.

 


I came to RIT Croatia thanks to a full scholarship sponsored by the Croatian newspaper Vecernji list where I completed a co-op as a Marketing Assistant in my last year of studies.

I am glad RIT Croatia prepared me for the ‘real’ world by giving me both theoretical and practical knowledge, confidence and many tips for job interviews. One of the most important parts of my education at RIT Croatia was my decision to take advantage of the extra opportunities that the college offers. I participated in the ESCIA Student Entrepreneurial Exchange Program in Paris, completed the Honors Specialization program in public relations and ended up winning the RIT Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar award.

After graduation, I joined a European Union internship program with Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Later, I worked at the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik as a Marketing Assistant. This positive experience helped me kick start my career in hospitality.

Going abroad, living and working in a multicultural environment has been one of my dreams. Rixos Hotels had an upcoming hotel opening in Dubai, and Rixos Libertas Dubrovnik approached me to be a part of their ‘task force’ for the opening month. Never saying ‘no’ to good opportunities, I went to Dubai and helped open the amazing Rixos The Palm Dubai. After the opening, I was offered employment as a marketing assistant. I accepted right away, and moved to the United Arab Emirates. Dubai completely won me over with its multiculturalism, fast-paced environment, and rich pool of opportunities.

After a year at The Rixos Palm Dubai, I accepted an offer from Marriott International in Dubai, where I currently work as a Public Relations and Marketing Communications Executive.  I am responsible for planning, execution and evaluation of PR and marketing campaigns for eight Dubai hotels and I act as brand guardian for four Marriott brands. Being part of Marriott’s dynamic team and launching two flagship hotels has been an extremely rewarding experience and I look forward to many challenges ahead.

I would give current students two pieces of advice. The first is to be proactive; if there are no opportunities - work on creating one. The second is to focus on your long team goals – your career is more of a marathon than a sprint.