Alumni Vasco

What made you choose this degree programme at the time?

"Since I remember, when I was young, I’ve always enjoyed staying in hotels. With the years passing by I’ve started to realize that I was curious about each role and positions within the hotels I was staying. When I concluded my secondary school, I found options that could lead me to the hotel industry, in Portugal. However, after a certain time I’ve decided that I wanted to move abroad, and the Netherlands was the country that showed the best living conditions for a student. I could study and work at the same time, plus Saxion offered an interesting four year programme that convinced me to apply. The two internship periods, plus the different subjects made my decision easy, and today I can say that I don’t regret my choice."

How did you experience the programme overall?

"Overall the programme was great. As mentioned above, the internship programs, the opportunity to work on real events made the program. Plus all the personal relationships with the teachers and all the connections made during the four year course."

What did you enjoy most during your studies?

" I enjoyed the fact that it never felt like I was in an University, it felt like we were in a big family home. The teachers, the employees and the older students always created an warm environment that made it easier to engage with everyone without any power distance. In my country is very different. The relationships created during the studies if for sure what I have enjoyed the most. Expecially when we have students from all over the globe, study trips to London where we engaged and visit very exclusive hotels, and the internship periods."

What kind of work are you doing now, and how did you get into this role?

" Currently I am the Multi Property Director of Rooms for the upcoming JW Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott in Phuket, Thailand. I am responsible for the Front Office, Housekeeping, Spa, Recreation and Loss Prevention operations, and as pre-opening, planning and executing the entire department set up. Moreover, I am also the Chairman for the Next Gen Business Council Thailand & Cambodia, where I take responsibility for more than 100 aspiring young future leaders. Together, we create and drive initiatives that support Innovation, Community, Social Impact and Sustainability. I got to this role after seven amazing years at the Renaissance Phuket, where I did the two internship periods from Saxion.

The first internship was my first time in the Asian continent, and also the first time in the Front Office Department. This internship showed that I have a passion for taking care of the customers, and making sure they leave the hotel happy and will return. For the second internship, I was fortunate to have the General Manager inviting me to return to the hotel and continue my journey, which I accepted. During the internship period, I was assigned to assist the Director of Rooms, which made me learn the whole Rooms department. After the internship I was offered a position in the Front Office Department, which I accepted while I was also working on my thesis. Since then I have been promoted every year until I achieve the Director of Rooms role. Earlier this year, I was offered the opportunity to take part in this pre opening project."

To what extent are you applying what you learned during your studies in your current job?

"I would say to a certain extend. During my current job, we work with financials on a daily basis, budgeting, working with financial statements etc. Moreover, during the operations, the way we lead and manage our teams."

What is your ultimate dream or ambition?

"My ambition is to become a General Manager by the age of 35."

What is your most valuable tip for our future alumni?

" I would say: enjoy the course to the fullest. Try new thing and get out of your comfort zone."