Let me give you some more information about my professional path. From my education and work experience to projects and volunteering… You’ll find it all.
Let’s start in September 2009, when I started my education at the renowned hospitality school ‘Ter Duinen’.
Very soon, I found myself to be very attracted by the hotel and restaurant management part of it, rather than pure cooking. I started working as a waiter in a local restaurant in my hometown, named ‘De Dobbel Rose’. During that time, I learned the basics of serving and dealing with guests.
Later on, during summer 2011, I had to do my first internship. I chose to do my first kitchen internship in a four star boutique hotel: ‘Hotel Messeyne’. I could display my creativity skills as I was responsible for the cold starters and desserts. Although I enjoyed working as a kitchen trainee, I knew it was not what I wanted to do in the future. I preferred the social contact with guests and the pleasure of serving people.
One year later, I had the opportunity to do my internship at ‘Restaurant BOURY‘. A classy but modern gourmet restaurant rated with one Michelin star and a 17/20 in the GaultMillau guide. I worked there two months as a restaurant trainee and afterwards I kept working there during weekends and holidays. Multitasking, perfectionism, customer focus and communication are some of the key words to describe the skills I had to use a lot. After two years, they promoted me to help in the administration part of the restaurant. Managing invoices, translating menus & emails, making reservations, payroll and book keeping were some of my key tasks.
In the summer of 2013, it was time for a new challenge. I decided to do my internship in a four star luxury hotel ‘Sol y Mar’ in Spain, as a restaurant trainee. This was a very important step towards an international future. Excellent language and flexibility skills were essential to survive this challenging experience.
September 2013 was the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I went to a bigger city [Ghent] to study Business Management – Option International Entrepreneurship. Still with the idea in mind to pursue a career in hospitality, but I wanted a more general business management education with a focus on international opportunities.
In the summer of 2014, I needed a new challenge again. I applied through Vacansoleil Camping Jobs to work two months as a Front Desk Receptionist in France [Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard]. I got accepted and had an amazing experience. I learned a lot of French, but also specific front desk related skills such as problem solving, customer service and building guest relationships.
During my second year International Entrepreneurship at the Artevelde University College, I was given the opportunity to participate in a trade mission to Mexico. I represented a belgian SME called ‘Viva Sara’. Together with my team, I also wrote a marketing and a export plan for that company. Teamwork, leadership, sales pitching and intercultural communications are some of the keywords to describe this experience.
A few months later, during the summer of 2015, I decided to work one more summer abroad. I worked again as a Front Desk Receptionist for Vacansoleil Camping Jobs, but in the beautiful and well-known town of Saint-Tropez. Because this holiday village was three times bigger than the one from 2014, my job as a front desk agent was a totally different experience. A bigger team, more responsability and handling on average 100 clients each day were some of the key differences between the summer of 2015 and 2014.
At the beginning of September 2015, a total new adventure was waiting for me. Canada was calling. I studied one semester abroad at BCIT School of Business in wonderful Vancouver. I chose to be in the Marketing Management – Tourism Option program, which has been a great choice. Lots of like-minded people, interesting courses and very inspiring teachers. I did not hesitate to take every single opportunitity that was crossing my path. I was elected to go to the ‘IMEX Future Leaders Forum’ in Las Vegas, to represent BCIT and competing in the ‘LinkBC Annual Tourism Case Competition’, I became a member of ‘Meeting Professionals International’ and I volunteered by coaching high school students on how to prepare a case competition. This was another international experience that really opened my eyes and made my resolute I want to become a leader in the hospitality industry.
As of February 2016, I am leaving Belgium again to work at the ‘Bahia Principe Hotel Riviera Maya’ in Mexico as a PR, Events & Weddings Trainee. While I am working there, I will write my final thesis which will have a focus on a specific hotel industry case.
Thank you for having taken the time to read my seven years of industry experience.
I’m very excited to complete this page and share my future experiences with you.
Love,
Hospitravelty 