Working in the hospitality industry can open many doors. Today, we are pleased to publish the testimony of Bopha Than who first worked for ACCOR group before changing career and joining the SIPAR association.
Choosing a career in hospitality is also giving yourself the possibility to be multi-skilled and to go towards new opportunities.
How did you get into the hospitality business?
Hospitality sector was unknow to me and I never imagine myself working in this industry. Thanks to my scholar and career orientation, I had a chance to know more about Hospitality & Tourism Industry. I discovered the hospitality business by my internship opportunity after my bachelor degree in tourism in 2014. I had the opportunity to discover several careers at Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra starting from the reception, Food and beverage service until Sales and Marketing focusing on events. This first observation is part of my career orientation in the sector.
I have been involved in Sales and Marketing department for most of my career opportunities in hotel industry.
What studies did you follow to become a hospitality professional?
I started my bachelor degree in French language with two options: teaching French language as a foreign language and tourism. The tourism careers have caught my attention and I had a few opportunities to learn more on careers in tourism industry. At the end of my bachelor degree, there is an opportunity to continue my studying in France with a private scholarship from Accor Group. Before continuing my studying in France, I did my internship at Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra to learn on careers in hotel industry. In 2017, I am graduated from my master degree in tourism - Management of Institutions and Enterprises.
What do you like about your job? And what do you like less?
Working in Sales and Marketing department, especially in Sale Event, I enjoyed working with all team members who are involved to make an event a success starting from the reception, food and beverage, engineering, housekeeping, florist until accounting. These skillful people work together to give a memorable experience to the client and I am glad to work with these people who work hard every day.
Working in hotel industry required a lot of energy and time. We are in customer service which require to be proactive, reactive and flexible. Working overtime and working on the weekend can be taking into account.
What is your best experience, story in this profession?
Customer service is a core value in hotel and tourism industry and it requires some skills and competencies from all employees. I enjoyed working with the team to make the customer happy with our services. One day, a client came and said that she was grateful for the arrangement. The smile on her face made our day.
You are working now for the SIPAR, what is it? Why did you choose to move forward? Does your experience in hospitality is helpful for your new career?
Sipar is an international NGO who runs literacy and educational programs targeting underserved populations across all of Cambodia, in close partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Our mission is to foster a culture of reading and to create a literate Cambodian society - a key lever of social development.
Everyone has a professional and personal objective if life, I have chosen mine. I would like to be involved in the development of my community especially in the education field and working at Sipar let me be a part of it. Those skills that I have developed in hotels industry help me on my actuals mains tasks such as communication and partnerships.
Contact b. consulting Hospitality Food & Beverage - click-here
Join Ms Bopha Than on Linkedin - click-here
More information about Sipar Association - click-here
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