For Winnie Ho, a postgraduate student enrolled in the Master of International Hotel Management at Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (BMIHMS) at Torrens University, the decision to take her passion for hospitality and hotel management further by studying at the postgraduate level began paying dividends early.
Winnie started her career in media and marketing for a hotel in Macau, but soon realised her skills were better suited to operations. She returned to study to deepen her knowledge of and connections to the hotel management industry, and to assist her in her search for a position where her new skills could be implemented.
Winnie chose BMIHMS at Torrens University as her education provider because it has a proven track record of producing high quality graduates spanning the past 25 years, earning a reputation as the number one hotel management school in Australia and the Asia Pacific.
After settling in Australia, Winnie began her search for a job to complement her studies. What began as a part-time guest services agent (GSA) position quickly progressed to a full-time, six-month industry placement position as front office manager – a position enhanced by her growing understanding of the industry, derived from her studies.
“My time at BMIHMS has been invaluable in terms of providing me with the hands on industry experience I needed to take the next steps towards a successful career,” she said. “Throughout my studies I had great access to resources and the teaching staff were incredibly inspirational and encouraging.”
After Winnie’s graduation this month, she will be promoted to Hotel Manager, The Haven Glebe – a boutique hotel nestled in the inner city Sydney suburb.
“I’ve always wanted to manage my own hotel and it’s so exciting that this dream has become a reality for me, even before graduating from BMIHMS,” she said.
“Being part of a small team has been a fantastic way to learn about all aspects of the business and to really fast track my development as a manager.”
Winnie’s swift rise through the ranks of hotel management has been in part due to her deeper understanding and expertise acquired as part of her studies at BMIHMS.
The Haven Glebe implemented one of her suggestions to enhance guest bathrooms by installing L’Occitane toiletry products with sustainable dispensing methods – a change that was noted, necessary and welcomed by management.
In her new role, Winnie is currently hiring new staff before the grand opening of The Haven Glebe this month. Winnie is turning her efforts towards driving the success of the business, challenging herself personally and professionally, and exceeding the expectations of discerning customers at The Haven Glebe in the months and years ahead.
“Hospitality is a fantastic industry with a great variety of career opportunities and I can’t wait to see where my career path takes me,” she said.