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Sofia Neves |
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The 24-year-old, who graduated from George Brown’s Hotel Management program in 2005, understands the importance of enthusiasm for achieving success in the hospitality industry.
Ultimately, it was her ‘go-the-extra-mile-ness’ and people-focused attitude that led to a permanent position with the global chain as a Human Resources (HR) Generalist in 2007.
Though she is exactly where she wants to be, her career path was not linear or even planned. In high school, she was involved in school spirit activities. She loved forging personal relationships, but she was unsure of how that would translate into a career. Her guidance counselor suggested she enroll in George Brown’s Hotel Management program. “I wanted to go to the best college for the subject, and George Brown is known for hospitality,” she says.
She found the two-year program a perfect mix of hands-on learning and exposure to industry leaders. She was given opportunities to volunteer at networking events where she mingled with hotel general managers and vice-presidents. “It was fun, and I learned a lot more than I would have in a classroom,” she says.
The mandatory, mid-program internship as an HR Assistant with the Marriott gave her the foundation she needed for her future. In that position she did everything from newsletter production to wage analysis to responding to employee queries. She credits the reputation of the College for getting her into the door, which is the hardest part, she says.
After her program, she got a two-month contract as a hostess, followed by a year-and-a-half position in banquet services as a “red coat’—the go-to person between the hotel and the event planner. Those experiences gave her an in-depth education about hotel operations and customer service.
Back in Human Resources, Neves feels she has reached her final destination. Along with employee recruitment, she is responsible for administering benefits, training staff, and educating college students about the Marriott brand at career fairs and in schools. As well as her full-time job, she is completing a university degree in hospitality and tourism with a minor in human resources and remains connected to George Brown College through her role on the Hotel Management Program Advisory Committee (PAC).
“I’ve definitely found my fit,” she says. “But if asked, I would make beds or wash dishes for the Marriott in a heartbeat.”
Where does this commitment to service, professionalism and humility come from? Her Portuguese grandmothers, she says, who she would visit during summer vacations while growing up in Toronto. They were both widowed, her maternal grandmother having raised seven children by herself in a small village.
“They taught me the value of letting people know you care, and how to value everyone regardless of where they come from or what they do,” she says. “I always tell students, to get to the top, you have to start at the bottom.”
We encourage you to visit the Alumni Association.
Or, contact information the Hospitality & Tourism Alumni association
at:
Hospitality & Tourism Alumni
300 Adelaide St. E.
Toronto, ON M5A 1N1
To learn more, visit the George
Brown College Alumni page.
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