Hello everyone,

How is everyone doing? I am always excited to hear and catch up with all the graduates from HTMi. I am glad to write to you today to share with you my last 5-year experience in Hospitality.

Having chosen Hospitality as your career, there are a lot of requirements such as commitment, flexibility, long hours, and always keep yourself up-to-date to the industry’s best practice and benchmark. Obviously it’s not always easy but once you’ve started it, you’ll eventually grow into your role and “fall in love” with your job.

I graduated from HTMi in summer 2008. I flew directly from Switzerland to Dubai with loads of excitement. Didn’t know what to expect as Dubai was not as well known as that stage compared to it is now. I was selected for a fast track Management Trainee with Rotana Hotels and Resorts, a very fine local hotel chain. I was promoted to Assistant Executive Lounge Manager in completion of 12-month training. Hard work did pay-off well when I was promoted to Executive Lounge Manager after 5 months, at the age of 23. After 1 year, I decided to move on to a different brand, Shangri La Hotels and Resorts, taking over a more challenging role in a high-end luxury hotel, as Guest Service Manager/Guest Relations. I get to directly meet, greet and check-in all the high profile guests that are staying in the hotel. I met so many celebrities and Government Officials who stayed at the Shangri La Hotel Dubai. It was so much fun and so much learning experience.

I’ve recently got transferred from Shangri La Hotel Dubai to Shangri La Hotel Sydney as Service Manager – Front Office. After 5 years in Dubai, I am so thrilled to take up the new challenge in Sydney. I have only been here for 2 weeks but I am in love with the place and the team already. I guess the good thing about me is that I adapt changes easily and always open for challenge. Have you identified what your strengths, weaknesses and area of interest for your future career yet? I sincerely advise you do this exercise as soon as possible so that you can have a clearer direction of what you want to do and where you see yourself in the next 3 years, 5 years, 10 years and so on.

Wish you all the very best!

Kylie Tran