In the latest instalment of our Alumni Spotlight series, we speak to graduate Michael Magner, who studied the MSc in Human Resource Management.
From enjoying exams and making lifelong friends, to buying his own hotel and employing 130 people, Michael discusses his time studying at UL and offers advice to future students.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Michael Magner. I was born and raised in the parish of Killeedy. Home is nine kilometres from the West Limerick town of Newcastle West.
I am the eldest in the family and I have three sisters. We grew up on a dairy farm, a really happy childhood, our parents supported all of us in whatever we wanted to do.
In 2006, I bought my first hotel with a business partner and in 2019, I bought his shares out. My family and I now own the four star Cork’s Vienna Woods Hotel, located 10 minutes from Cork City Centre, in Glanmire.
We have just completed a significant investment of seven million, which provides 102 guest rooms on site, and extensive conference and banqueting facilities. We host well over 100 weddings each year and have had the absolute pleasure of being part of each couple's very special day.
I now have 134 incredible employees, who are outstanding ambassadors for our sector.
I am fortunate to hold seats on the Board of Visit Cork and The Alliance for Insurance Reform. I am the Chair of Cobh Heritage Trust, and in March of last year, I was elected the 40th National President of the Irish Hotels Federation.
I am so grateful to the many people who have presented such incredible opportunities to me. The Irish Hotels Federation represents the interests of almost 1,000 hotels and guests houses in Ireland. There are 64,000 jobs in the hotel and guesthouse industry in Ireland.
What courses did you study and what years did you graduate?
Post-second level, I went on to study hotel management, a graduate of the Trainee Management Development Programme which is now under the remit of Munster Technological University.
I graduated in 1998, and worked at Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel in Adare. Having completed hotel management, I went on to study a Diploma in Personnel Management at University of Limerick, and after graduating in 2004, I was accepted into the MSc in Human Resource Management at UL.
During my career, I was also fortune to acquire a Diploma in Digital Marketing, and study other fields in management development, much of it having a relevance to the hotel sector.
Why did you choose to study at UL?
UL is literally on my doorstep, and how fortunate for me to have an outstanding university so near. My UL programmes were taught by incredible and passionate people who were experts in their field. UL is a centre of excellence for human resource management programmes.
The reputation University of Limerick has on the world stage makes me so proud to be a past student. The teaching faculty really makes the University what it is.
What were the highlights of your courses?
I studied in UL as a part-time student, and therefore, classes were taught in a hybrid format where full- and part-time students formed the class.
The interaction was incredible, and the many perspectives that were shared on the journey of each programme were so thought-provoking.
Also, the teaching faculty facilitated peer learnings and encouraged each student to bring their own opinions to the learnings without being judged, that brought forward a world view applicable to the course content.
As a part-time student and also working full time, on occasion, approaching an evening lecture was sometimes challenging and one could be exhausted, but I can honestly say, I always left a lecture having learned and respected. The highlight for me was achieving my goals to acquire an incredible qualification while enjoying the journey to securing it. It really was a win-win for me.
As a KBS student, you had the opportunity to learn from some of the top academic talent, in state-of-the-art facilities. What was your experience like as a student here?
My experience was world-class. The teaching faculty at the University are at the top of their profession, they are passionate about what they teach, and they have a genuine interest in seeing their students achieve their full potential.
The University also has world-class facilities, comfortable lecture rooms, a state-of-the-art campus and a library that is simply a treasure trove of information and knowledge.
UL is among the best universities in the world, and I am so proud to be a graduate. A collaborative approach to learning is the culture there. Culture is driven by a common mindset shared among students, teaching faculty and management.
What advice would you offer to students considering studying at UL?
Do your research and ensure the education institution you choose offers the best possible outcomes to meet your skill set, in terms of how you live your life, how you learn and to meet lifelong ambitions. UL offers so much potential at so many levels - do not rule out UL before you see what it can do for you.
Separately, what advice would you offer to students considering studying your course?
Titles of courses can sometimes be misleading, and the course content could be different to the student’s expectations; ensure you research the course you might have interest in.
Perhaps talk to students who are on your preferred course or speak with students who have completed it; I would expect the University faculty also would be in a position to provide sound, robust advice. Also, as a student, you need to ask yourself: what is your career goal, and how can the course you are considering help you achieve this goal? Finally, be open-minded, be prepared to be challenged and most importantly enjoy it.
What are some of your favourite memories from your time at UL?
This might sound a little weird, but I actually loved doing exams, because I loved the opportunity to demonstrate what I learned on the course and also put forward some of my own voice and ideas.
I’m not saying I was a 100% score student, albeit I was not a bad student either, but I think exams and receiving results were a validation of my capacity and also demonstrated that I loved what I studied.
I also enjoyed learning from the other students and your peer group - there were some incredible conversations that really encouraged thought-provoking ideas.
We also built a real respect for the teaching faculty, and they cared about you as a person. You were not treated like an ID number, you were real.
Are there any campus locations that hold special significance to you?
The Main Building is where the majority of my lectures were delivered, so I knew that building inside-out. The Glucksman Library is where I did my on-campus studies and where group projects and assignments were completed, in the library breakout rooms. And finally, the University Concert Hall, where I received my parchments and graduated.
How did your courses and your overall UL experience benefit your career upon graduating?
Well, I went on to own my own hotel and employ over 130 people, and while I have hotel management qualifications, the hotel business is a people business - our people run our hotels, and we need people to use our hotels, so having a degree in people management is a real complement to the career I am in.
It was worth every hour of study and time sacrifice. Without this education, I do not think I could manage people effectively. We are always learning.
What has been a career highlight so far?
There are two: owning and running my own hotel, and being elected the 40th National President of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) - such an honour to be appointed to represent our incredible industry.
What are your plans for the future?
When I finish my IHF presidency in 2026, I might like to consider another course, and I will absolutely be looking to UL. And who knows, I might see my business expanding further.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
In your journey through life, never regret; and if you feel regret, turn this feeling into an opportunity so it will not recur.
Don’t be afraid to take on challenges regardless of how big or small, as they challenge you and probably encourage you to do great things.
Always remember to respect people regardless of your differences and acknowledge the people who give you opportunities as they don’t have to.
When you reach your career goal, try to share your experience and give back the opportunities that were given to you - that’s how it works.
Simply put, I had a wonderful experience at University of Limerick, I received an incredible education from a teaching faculty who are at the top of their game, I received a world-renowned and respected qualification, made great lifelong friends, and finally, the tools to go and build my own business. Thank you for everything.