12 March, 2025
For Stacey Plaine, Director of Marketing at W Brisbane, and recent QUT marketing graduate, Hannah Buxton, real-world learning has been the key to unlocking career opportunities.
Stacey’s journey began with a QUT internship at the Brisbane Fashion Festival, an experience that set her on the path to a global marketing career. Today, she leads a team at one of Brisbane’s most iconic hotels and gives back to QUT by mentoring interns like Hannah.
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For Hannah, interning with Stacey at W Brisbane provided invaluable hands-on experience, allowing her to apply classroom knowledge to real-world projects and build industry connections that will kickstart her career.
Both stories showcase how work-integrated learning (WIL), which is embedded into the Bachelor of Business, empowers students and alumni to turn their ambitions into reality through practical learning and industry partnerships.
From internship to impact — Stacey’s story
When Stacey Plaine was completing her undergraduate degree at QUT (a Bachelor of Business (Marketing)), a standout opportunity changed the course of her career. She secured an internship with the Brisbane Fashion Festival (formerly Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival) as part of her studies. Tasked with coordinating designers and PR activities, Stacey gained first-hand exposure to the fast-paced world of major events.
For Stacey, mentoring students like Hannah isn’t just about sharing knowledge; it’s about helping them realise their potential. “Hosting QUT interns at W Brisbane is a fantastic experience for both the intern and our team. They bring fresh perspectives and ideas that enhance our marketing strategies and invigorate our projects. For the students, completing an internship is invaluable. It provides practical experience, helps them develop industry-specific skills and builds their professional network.” Stacey shares.
“Being backstage for a major event and coordinating young designers gave me invaluable exposure to how real businesses operate and what a career in major events could look like,” Stacey recalls.
That internship, and a degree from an internationally recognised triple-crown accredited institution, laid the foundation for Stacey’s remarkable journey. Starting in entry-level marketing roles in Brisbane with Marriott International, Stacey took advantage of Marriott’s global presence, moving to London where she worked on the refurbishment and rebranding of the London Marriott Hotel Park Lane in Mayfair. While there, Stacey also participated in a Shark Tank-style competition run by Marriott International. She pitched an innovative concept for a rooftop bar that impressed the judges and secured $40,000 USD in funding. The bar became a resounding success, adding a new dimension to the hotel’s guest experience and demonstrating Stacey’s ability to deliver impactful, high-profile marketing initiatives.
Her next role saw her managing 65 hotels across the UK in a senior food and beverage marketing position. Over three years, she rebranded 32 restaurants and 17 bars, opened a gastropub in London, The Pickled Hen, worked with international beverage brands to develop menus, partnered with a tech start-up company to build and launch a custom booking platform, and consulted on restaurant and bar marketing strategies and activations that drove revenue into the hotels.
“I loved the fast pace and creative challenges of working internationally. It pushed me to think big, innovate, and collaborate with global teams,” Stacey reflects.
Stacey’s journey didn’t stop there. She later led the opening of the JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa before returning to Australia to work as Director of Marketing at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Port Douglas, eventually coming back home to Brisbane to consult during the pandemic.
This wealth of global experience ultimately led her to her current role as Director of Marketing at W Brisbane (a luxury lifestyle hotel under the global Marriott International brand), where she continues to drive innovative campaigns and industry partnerships.
“Working internationally—from London to the Maldives—challenged me to think innovatively and adapt to different business environments. And it was QUT’s emphasis on real-world learning that gave me the confidence to step into those global markets.” Stacey reflects.
In 2024, Stacey’s career came full circle—W Brisbane became a major partner of the Brisbane Fashion Festival, a decision Stacey led as part of her marketing strategy. “It was surreal. To go from being a student intern at the festival to now leading W Brisbane’s involvement as a partner was incredibly rewarding,” Stacey says.
Having benefitted from an internship herself, Stacey is now giving back to the next generation of marketing professionals by hosting QUT interns at W Brisbane.
Hands-on learning in action — Hannah’s experience
Following in similar footsteps, recent QUT marketing graduate, Hannah Buxton, has seen the benefits of real-world experience through her internship at W Brisbane. Under Stacey’s mentorship, Hannah has contributed to a variety of projects, including:
- conducting market research
- website updates
- developing hotel campaign and activation ideas
- creating brochures, flyers and other marketing collateral
“The internship was incredibly rewarding,” Hannah explains. “I’ve been able to apply what I’ve learnt in the classroom to real-world projects and gain invaluable professional experience.”
Hannah describes how the internship allowed her to see how ideas on paper are turned into tangible results. “Being involved in W Brisbane’s marketing projects deepened my understanding of marketing strategies and their impact. It also made me realise how important collaboration is in delivering successful campaigns.”
Another significant takeaway for Hannah was the opportunity to develop her professional network and interact with industry leaders. “Being part of W Brisbane introduced me to people like Stacey who are passionate about their work and willing to share their insights. I’ve broadened my professional network, which will be really valuable as I begin my career,” she says.
“My internship experience has been instrumental in shaping my professional growth. Having an inspiring mentor like Stacey has been pivotal in making this experience truly invaluable,” Hannah shared.
Having just graduated in December 2024, Hannah has already leveraged her Bachelor of Business (Marketing), and internship experience at W Brisbane to land her first role in marketing as a Complex Sales and Marketing Coordinator at Westin Hotels & Resorts and Four Points by Sheraton.
Real-world learning for real-world success
Stacey and Hannah’s journeys demonstrate the transformative power of real-world learning. From internships that spark career-defining opportunities to mentorships that build confidence and foster growth, QUT’s Bachelor of Business (Marketing) prepares students to excel in their fields.
For Stacey, a QUT internship was the foundation for a global marketing career, while for Hannah, it has been the first step toward achieving her professional ambitions. Their stories highlight how hands-on experiences, industry connections, and supportive mentorship empower students to turn classroom knowledge into impactful careers.
Whether you’re a student looking to kickstart your journey or an experienced professional wanting to build new skills or switch careers, QUT’s emphasis on practical learning and collaboration will ensure you have the tools you need to succeed.