Hospitality organization helps students hit career jackpot

February 4, 2010 by Renata Follmann 

Club aims to develop hotel college students into networking aces

It’s all about who you know.

This often-heard phrase has students in the hospitality industry trying to figure out how to get to know the right people.

But for those who join UNLV’s chapter of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, the search is easier.

“It takes time to build a network, but we bring the opportunity to students,” said Quynh Dam, HFTP director of public relations. “They don’t have to look outside for directors or [vice presidents].”

HFTP President Denis Atandi said the hospitality industry requires professionals to go above and beyond. Organizations like the HFTP encourange their members to do so.

“Every student that plans on working in the hospitality industry should consider joining HFTP,” Atandi said. “Being part of HFTP means being a member of a global professional association for financial and technology personnel working the hospitality industry.”

Dam believes one of the main obstacles for students when building their networks is that their job often does not relate to their major.

The process of knowing influential people is long and requires maintenance.

For this group, mixers and events with guest speakers are ways to introduce students to professionals and possibly future employers.

After a guest speaker comes, Dam encourages students to send thank-you cards.

“When they come to campus, that’s when they have the time to answer all of students’ questions,” Dam said.

For her, there is great value in knowing the paths successful professionals took to get where they are. And she is not alone.

“We need to know how they run their business so we would know what the best way to run our business is,” said Angie Nguyen, HFTP treasurer.

Being part of this group as a board member helps Nguyen improve her leadership and customer service skills and get a better look at life in the real world.

“Active student members get the opportunity to meet industry professionals who are eager to mentor and provide guidance,” said Mehmet Erdem, HFTP faculty adviser.

Erdem is used to helping students make connections with professionals in the hospitality industry. Before he reorganized and reinstated the HFTP UNLV in July 2009, Erdem was the faculty advisor for the HFTP student chapter at University of New Orleans.

Currently, he serves as the co-advisor along with Grace Chatfield of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.

HFTP has a wide network of chapters, including one at UNLV Singapore, giving members the opportunity to network in the local, national and international level.

Erdem said students who are involved in such clubs will have the needed platform to build a thriving career.

“Being part of HFTP means being part of an international network of professionals, academics and students who are all determined to advance their knowhow of finance and IT through coaching, mentorship, networking and scholarship,” Erdem said.

HFTP members said that when starting a career, there are never too many people to meet. Networking sometimes is taken for granted when it shouldn’t.The more students get to know about their respective industries and begin to establish new connections, the easier the transition from school to the work environment will be.

“Although education is vital and a stepping-stone to success, unlike other industries, people don’t need a hospitality degree to be successful in our industry. This creates a huge challenge to college graduates,” Atandi said.

“The key issue here is staying ahead of the game to succeed.”

ON THE WEB: HFTP: hotel.unlv.edu/students/studentorgs/hftp.html