Ana Vujović and her co-op journey: From intern to insider

Ana Vujović, who just finished her third year at RIT Croatia’s Hospitality and Tourism Management program, began her journey at Dubrovnik Sea Sun Hotels during her second year of studying when she applied for the position of Marketing Assistant Intern during RIT Croatia’s Career Education Days. Even though the job offer was not initially appealing due to her interest in finance, and her previously established summer job plans, during the second interview at the company’s headquarters, she experienced a gut feeling – an intuition that this company was the right fit for her. She had accepted the job and did not look back for a second.

When you know, you know

After finishing her second year, Ana managed two jobs, one as the Marketing Assistant Intern at the Dubrovnik Sea Sun Hotels, and the other as a receptionist for apartments to earn extra money. Despite the initial financial strain, Ana never regretted choosing the Marketing Assistant Intern position. After last summer, she was asked to stay working for them for a few hours per week while studying. Ana then worked remotely while being on the Erasmus exchange during her junior year, leading up to this summer. “Don't get me wrong; for this summer, I explored many other options besides Dubrovnik Sea Sun Hotels because I planned to gain some experience in the finance department as well before I graduate, but none of the interviews came close to the gut feeling I experienced in my sophomore year. I guess I fall into the category of those who follow their intuition, therefore I decided to stay on their team :) ”, said Ana.

During the summer of 2024, Ana’s role in the company has evolved from intern to insider. She works full-time, year-round, enjoying every aspect of her job – from managing social media and planning events to analyzing data and creating promotional materials for the hotels, all while simultaneously exploring the finance department as a part-time Accounting Intern. “All of this happened thanks to my boss and mentor, Sanja Agić Bošković, Marketing Manager at Dubrovnik Sea Sun Hotels, and an RIT Croatia alumna, who has always gone the extra mile to provide me with the space to explore further and find my passions” commented Ana.  

Student performance and contributions through the supervisor’s eyes

When asked about her point of view on Ana’s navigation through internships at Dubrovnik Sea Sun Hotels, Sanja Agić Bošković was happy to share her thoughts. “As an RIT Croatia alumna, I deeply appreciate the education and experiences RIT Croatia provides. Unlike the typical Croatian education system, which is often more theory-based, RIT Croatia emphasizes real-life applications through case studies, presentations, and business models. When I had the chance to expand my team, I knew I wanted someone who comes from that type of education system. My focus was on finding someone who is resourceful and adaptable, rather than someone who just knows all the pages of a book. Having Ana join us was incredibly refreshing. She brought new ideas and creativity that we were missing. Through her, I learned how to use programs like Canva, which transformed our approach to graphic design. Ana's innovation, eagerness to learn, and fresh perspective have been truly impressive”.

Sanja’s management philosophy is to create an environment where everyone feels free to share their ideas and where positions don’t dictate the value of contributions. Ana quickly became more than just an intern; she became a vital member of the team. “Ana’s contributions have made our department more successful. Co-op opportunities like these in my opinion are crucial. They allow students to secure permanent positions even before graduation if they are committed and given meaningful responsibilities beyond typical entry-level tasks. Ana is a perfect example of how valuable these experiences can be when students are given the chance to truly contribute”, said Sanja.

The most important lessons to be learned and advice to be shared

Reflecting on her experience, the most significant lesson Ana has learned is to trust her intuition, be patient, and choose a company that encourages employees to explore their passions and provides a platform to create and express ideas. “It's rewarding to have a coop experience where work does not feel like work; my boss and I come to the office at 8:00 am, talk, exchange ideas, brainstorm, come to solutions and suddenly, it’s 4:00 pm time to go home” added Ana.

When it comes to the don'ts of choosing a coop job, Ana recommends not settling for the old job out of habit or because of a good team alone, as she did for two years before joining Dubrovnik Sea Sun Hotels. “I feel it’s more important to be in a place where you can grow and be recognized; making friends at work will come with time. Also, a little reminder to all current and future RIT Croatia students: learn from my example and don't dismiss options at Career Education Day that may initially seem less appealing or financially challenging because you never know where they could lead!” Ana concluded.