Hanan Haddad

First hospitality job:

My first hospitality job was Front Desk Agent at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. I started there on Caribana weekend.

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Age you started working in hospitality:

I was 21 years old.

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Your inspiration to begin working in hospitality:

To be honest, I was looking for a full-time job out of university and did not want to work in retail any longer. My roommate told me about this job and thought it would be a good fit as I already have service experience. Little did I know it would lead me down the amazing path I travelled.

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My hospitality mentor:

I am fortunate to say that I have had many mentors along the way. Some who have inspired me, others showed me tough love to prepare me, and those who have taught me new lessons and trusted me to take the lead. All these mentors saw something in me that perhaps I did not initially see myself.

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What are your favourite aspects of your job?

I love the variety and that I can use different skills for each task. I also love the people I work with and their amazing pride, joy and professionalism. Finally, I love the way we celebrate - no industry celebrates like the hospitality industry!

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What has inspired you to continue your career path in hospitality?

I am inspired by the impact I can have on the people and community around me. To see the results of my hard work and to watch the teams I work with grow, develop and travel down their own career paths. It truly makes me happy.

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Advice for students interested in a career in hospitality:

Be passionate about service, because this is the cornerstone of our industry. Also, bring your true self to work every day. Success only comes when you are true to yourself. So, find your groove and carve out a path that works best for you.