Hospitality provides real career options

Oct. 8, 2012 - PRLog -- A work experience competition run through the careers website UKSP has given a college student the confidence to pursue her dream of a career in hospitality.

Pamela Campbell, 18, was thrilled to win the competition as it gave her the chance to work at prestigious hospitality and luxury travel company, Orient-Express, for a week in September. Despite initially being nervous about not having enough experience, Pamela is now keen to start a career in the industry.

Before applying for the competition, Pamela feared that not having a background in hospitality could limit her career prospects, highlighting misconceptions around the sector’s entry routes for job seekers.

“Hospitality is something I’ve always wanted to get involved in, but I felt like I didn’t have enough experience to be chosen for the competition, or a job for that matter.

“Now that I’ve completed my placement, I feel like it’s just the start for me and I really want to stay in this industry,” Pamela explained.

Currently studying hospitality management at Glasgow City College in Scotland, Pamela is now excited to complete her course, and begin using the skills and experience she has gained during her week with Orient-Express.

During her week’s work experience, Pamela spent time at the company’s head office, as well as aboard the British Pullman train, sister train to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, shadowing stewards and looking after guests.

Hayley Abbott, learning and development manager at Orient-Express, said that Pamela’s enthusiasm for the role more than made up for her lack of experience in hospitality.

“Pamela’s willingness to learn and positive attitude towards colleagues and customers makes me confident that she has successful career ahead of her,” Hayley said.

UKSP project manager, Joanne Parker, is thrilled the competition is having a positive impact on job seekers and promoting the different roles available to people interested in a career in hospitality.

“UKSP’s work experience competition is a fantastic way to see what hospitality is all about, and we have received great feedback from our winners,” Joanne expressed.

“However, the competition is just one of the many options available on the UKSP website for young career seekers to learn about the types of roles they are suited to and how to land their dream jobs.”

UKSP, currently nominated for the ‘excellence in learning and development’ and ‘best careers website’ categories in the YourFoodJob.com People Awards, offers a range of other tools and helpful advice for anyone interested in entering the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry.

These tools include a personality test, which can help identify roles that suit individuals’ skills and interests and an interactive careers map, which shows users the different paths they can take to advance in their chosen profession.

With over 100,000 new hospitality roles needing to be filled in the next five years and a quarter of the industry’s managers under the age of 30, it is a great time for young people to be making their mark.

Those interested in getting some experience at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin-starred restaurant and hotel in Oxfordshire and part of Orient-Express, can enter UKSP’s latest ‘money can’t buy’ work experience competition at www.uksp.co.uk