Alumni Voices

 

Alyssa Larsen was 16 when her hospitality journey began at a small Italian restaurant in Edison, N.J. Throughout the craziness of a new food and beverage position, she found a passion for the unpredictable and beautiful chaos. Alyssa held various roles in the industry before enrolling in Middlesex County College’s Hospitality, Culinary & Dietetics department after graduating high school. During this time, Alyssa confidently decided this was the field she wanted to pursue. In the Fall of 2016, she moved to Galloway, N.J. where she began at Stockton University and fell in love with their Hospitality and Tourism Management studies program.

Alyssa is currently employed at one of the largest and most successful properties in Atlantic City, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Alyssa began her time at Hard Rock during the Summer of 2020 as a restaurant manager of the VIP Lounges, Legends and Plum. After being successful in this role for a little under two years, she was promoted as a supervisor to Banqueting Operations, one of the busiest departments on property.  Alyssa and her team are responsible for the staffing, planning, execution and break down of every event. The banquet management team oversees about 200 team members, who are some of the most hard-working people she’s ever had the pleasure of performing besides.

Alyssa credits much of her professional success to the engagement she had at Stockton University. Throughout her three years at Stockton, Alyssa became enthusiastically involved with clubs, volunteer opportunities, and school trips. During this time, she consistently made an extra effort to develop professional and personal relationships with classmates, professors and industry speakers. She feels that Stockton’s Hospitality Program, as well as the incredible professors and staff, set students up with all the tools and opportunities that are needed for success. However, it is up to the student to determine their level of engagement and commitment.

Alyssa is very proud of her accomplishments at Stockton, which include serving as president of the Hospitality Society, being awarded multiple scholarships, and graduating Summa Cum Laude. Alyssa also completed two internships during her time at Stockton, one with American Cruise Lines and another with Good Time Tricycle Productions, which eventually led to full time employment post-graduation in 2019. This would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the support and connections of her Stockton community who make these opportunities known and available to their students. Alyssa is confident that every club meeting, internship fair, and preceptor conversation is completely worth the time and effort. Her strongest advice to current students is to set yourself up with a strong network in the industry and to get involved with the endless opportunities Stockton’s Hospitality program has to offer!