“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Common question that we were asked or perhaps asked ourselves as we grew up. Over time, our aspirations evolved.  Depending on when you grew up and the things you experienced, the answer to this question varied. Kids born in the 90s said, “I want to be a neurosurgeon,” inspired by Ben Carson’s book, Gifted Hands. On the other hand, kids in the 2000s, technological advancement, and the rise of the digital space has opened an array of career opportunities for instance, a content creator or an influencer.

For Mary Catherine, an alumnae of the School of Tourism and Hospitality, her vision was clear. She wanted to work in a hotel. She found herself captivated by the paramount importance placed on service within the industry, from the warm welcomes at the reception desk to exquisite meals, the inviting atmosphere made family lunches enjoyable! With her vision guiding her, she began her journey. In September 2020, she enrolled in the School of Tourism and Hospitality to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.

Throughout her studies, a diverse range of classes made her experience worthwhile. From learning the crux of how hotel reservations are done, sales and marketing, and public relations, the list is endless! She enjoyed it all. Particularly noteworthy were the wine and bar classes, which added an extra layer of excitement to her studies. During her Service Based Learning at Soar Primary School where she worked as an assistant receptionist, she was able to answer office queries and would be assigned tasks by the teachers and headmaster. What she enjoyed the most was service to the students, parents, and teachers. She was always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone was served well.

On 7th July 2023, she turned the tassel and graduated top of her class with first-class honors!

With her mind set for working in the hotel industry after completing her Service Based Learning program, she reached out to Ms Josephine Muli, the internships coordinator at the school of Tourism and Hospitality seeking for any opportunities that may arise. Ms Josephine shared a management trainee opportunity from Hemingways Hotel, one of the partner companies at the school of Tourism and Hospitality. Mary applied just a day before the deadline and received an interview call seven days later.

How did you ace the interview?

I did not do it alone, I reached out to Ms Josephine Muli, who helped me prepare for the interview. Among the 10 shortlisted applicants, I was chosen! At that time, it felt like a Cinderella story of wishes turning to reality. I was finally going to work in a hotel—my childhood dream!

Tell us more about the Management Trainee program at Hemingways

At the time of my entry, Hemingways Hotel wanted to train fresh graduates to transit to the industry, hence creating a pool of talent that can later grow into management. The program entails spending time in each of the departments in the hotel and before moving to the next department, I do a presentation to the hotel management on what I have learnt. So far I have managed to be in the kitchen department, reservations and I am currently in the food and beverage department. I am hopeful to get an all-round experience by the end of this year.

During my time in the kitchen department, I had anticipated being adept given my background of preparing hearty meals for my family of eight and the culinary knowledge acquired in school. However, I was astounded by the chef’s mastery of the craft. Witnessing the chef effortlessly toss the pan and artfully present meals kept me fascinated. Each day brought forth new lessons, continuously expanding my understanding of culinary artistry.

What does the future look like for you?

I have two responses for this.

1. I dream of managing a hotel. I am happy when guests get a good experience.  Hence I would like to be in a place where I can influence different departments to work together to ensure every moment counts for a guest. 
2. I want to make an impact in the hotel and tourism industry. I am looking to be a thought leader in this space.

“With a clear vision and passion as my driver, it is now a dream turned to reality working in a hotel, ” says Mary Catherine Thuo.

Article written by: Lynette Naisoi