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Lola Pesser [F 2021]
Just Graduated
‘I
always wanted a study and career in the hospitality industry. I love hotels and everything around them, and I love people. Once I learnt this was something I could study, there was never any doubt in my mind. I had the opportunity to be in Hilton’s Elevator Management Program and I am still learning every day. I had always wanted to work my way up to hotel general manager, definitely abroad! Covid changed my plans quite a bit. I ended up signing a contract as pre-opening projects coordinator at my management internship’s company in the Netherlands. In parallel to that, I applied to the elevator program of Hilton, more as a job application exercise than by thinking I would get in. They invited me and I went through the selection process. It took months and two days in an assessment center, but even the process itself taught me a lot. After graduation, it was a bummer realizing that in the workplace, it might take years to reach higher level positions, and that it might have nothing to do with your capacities. It is all about being at the right time and in the right place and take the right type of experience. Luckily, the elevator program gave me a good kick in the right direction. Through the elevator program, I was lucky learning from great mentors and pioneers of our industry. I have learnt I am great at multi-tasking and learned to be quick on my feet. Those 18 months spent into the program were life-changing, professionally. During my studies in Maastricht, I really developed my problem-solving skills. As a leader, I am trusted will all sorts of decisions, and need to solve all types
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of issues and problems. A good critical approach to all of them is crucial. The HMSM gave me the right tool to approach all the tasks I am presented with. In three years, I want to be a commercial director. I have been lucky enough to experience all departments of a hotel. I excel the best in commercial. This is the route I want to take, and this is where my interest lies. I know work as groups, meetings & events sales manager at Hilton in Tallinn Estonia. For me, there is nothing better than to feel the business coming in. For the future, I need to develop more of a helicopter view. To be a commercial leader, I would need to implement a strategy best for the entire hotel. Hilton offers a lot of courses and programs. I plan on signing up to those when the time comes. Having a great mentor is crucial. Someone willing to teach and pass on their knowledge and expertise. Martin Hendricks [F 2008] was CEO at my management internship company. He made an impression on me by head-bursting ideas from morning to evening. I learnt a lot from him. He was an amazing manager and he showed me hospitality can be creative too.’
‘In the elevator program, you really get thrown into the deep end and it is up to you to sink or swim.’
fundament
