What inspired you to work for EHL Hospitality Business School?
After working in international admissions for US institutions, I decided to improve my professional development by looking at doing the opposite - sending US students abroad. This gives me a truly global point of view in studying abroad and improves my points of view in learning more about the best options for my students.
EHL aerial view.
Describe a typical day at work.
Every day can be different as it depends on whether I'm at home, traveling, or on campus, as well as the season. I often start by checking in with the team and making sure the plan for the week, day, and month is on schedule. If not, that's my priority. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I normally start with Motivation Day Interviews, which is something amazing that we do with all of our candidates at EHL. I think that it's amazing that every candidate applying to EHL interacts with someone from the team at least twice, but likely more than once. I then work with different forms of outreach that could be directly with me, students and families, counselors, or other partnerships. It's never boring and always moving forward.
Why do you continue doing what you do?
I do what I do because I truly believe that if you are meant to do great things, you will, no matter where you go. However, having the place that will put you in the best environment for you to succeed is just as important. Despite this age of information being available to you at any moment, finding the best place for your educational goals is still something that needs to be done with your "team" and having your recruiter on your team will only help you move forward. On a personal note, watching my youthful and motivated candidates become students and then graduate has no words. It's beautiful to help others reach their goals and become who they were meant to be. Being a part of that is why I do what I do.
Colombian hot chocolate during the 2015 RECRUITMENT trip.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love who I work with. We work really hard, and sometimes, in this field, we don't get to spend as much time together since our job requires so much travel and interaction with our candidates. However, working with an amazing team that is always there for you, even when you have not seen or spoken to each other in a while, is amazing.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
I studied Humanities which to me is the study of people and culture. I'm also a multi cultural person with several experiences I was lucky to have because of the family I was born into. These experiences help me connect with all types of families and help them feel welcome in the way they most feel welcome.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
I face different types of challenges in a day-to-day or bigger picture. In my daily life, I find that despite all the information we post on websites and the marketing we do–there is still so much about education that people think is incorrect. It's my job to help everyone understand why education is important and how they can gain access. In a bigger-picture challenge, I face something similar. Information changes quickly, and organizations take time. I work with keeping my leadership with the most up-to-date knowledge and thinking of how to move forward with those changes and opportunities.
What are some current projects you are working on?
I am working on the strategy for developing the market in the Americas. I'm also training the team and creating SOPs for new processes that have been developed. In developing the market in the Americas, I'm reaching out to other departments within my organization and sharing the opportunities available and then working on attempting to execute them.
Lausanne's old city views.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Always say yes. The higher education world is small, but despite the hard work, it's rewarding. No matter what is happening in the world, this field is welcoming to all and there to give a helping hand. Keep that mind open and ask lots of questions, as it's all worth it, and you are with some of the best people this world can offer.
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
EHL Hospitality Business School is not like others. I'm sure others say the same thing, but this institution has something to prove to the world, and they have already done so before. The level of entrepreneurial spirit you need to have 130 years ago to become the first hospitality school and then today be the best in the world is like no other. They adapt, change, and move forward like no one else. Others follow suit and wait to see what we do before moving forward. Innovation is here and that's what we need for the future–for those to dream of things that have never been dreamt of before. It's fun to me to hear the term "soft skills" buzzing everywhere nowadays, but EHL has been teaching soft skills and more since the beginning.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
"We bring together academia and hospitality to create the higher education of action-driven individuals and develop insightful thinking together with innovative practices in the international service industry." - I do it by continuing that level of innovating and having a leadership that entertains my ideas without judgment and then supporting me to move forward with them. Wonderful things have come out of these brainstorms.
McKee Botanical Garden with my son.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope participants take away that hospitality is in everything you do, and what you do with this is more important than anything else. We see it now with our statistics showing that about half of our alumni are in the hospitality industry and the others are outside of it but proving to us that this degree can place you in so many places. I see my students going into the tech industry, luxury brands, finance, real estate, education, and the sports business industry outside our already amazing hospitality industry connections.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
It's important because we only live this life once, and this is the chance you get to live your experiences. You notice those who travel once don't stop and that's because as soon as you do it once, you'll be looking to explore even more. This also is a way to help us move towards a more peaceful future. I see those who become scared of places they've never been to because of what they hear or read from other sources, but nothing beats what you experience yourself and determine on your own.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is when you have a specific goal. It's different from heading to a resort for a wedding and never leaving the resort. Meaningful travel could be something like figuring out how you can make a positive impact in that area or for yourself to take back with you. This could be learning about their history while there–visiting a local area and connecting to the people, food, culture, and history of the area.
