When I chose a university, I was looking for something different and when I discovered hospitality I thought it reflected my priorities and lifestyle. I loved travel and being with people. So I studied hospitality and 15 years ago, I started as a trainee in luxury hotels in the F&B sector, front office and other operational areas. Throughout my degree I had the opportunity to work in different segments and hotel brands, which helped me to broaden my knowledge of the hotel market.

After I finished university, I worked on luxury cruise ships and saw new horizons, and when I returned home to Brazil, I started to look for a company where I could develop my career.

I joined Accor 13 years ago, as a receptionist and as part of a management trainee program, being able to work for a while in all departments to have a 360º view of a hotel’s operations. Accor has given me the opportunity to develop my skills as a professional and to move abroad. I looked for a multinational company after working on cruise ships, when I realised the sector allowed me to move anywhere in the world. Any opportunity depends on my being ready for it and Accor opened a world of opportunities.

I love travel and to move abroad doing what I love allowed me to experience a new life both professionally and personally. Hospitality is a great adventure you fall in love with; it is about taking care of people, relating to people. The advantage is that every day is different, you are always learning something, you develop, learn about diverse cultures and people, it is amazingly dynamic; I don’t know another like it.

The highlight of my career was the moment I am living today; when I was promoted and I moved from Brazil to be the general manager of a hotel in Portugal. It was an opportunity to grow in my career and to meet a big challenge, to live in another country, which is not so easy. I developed personally and professionally, and it was an opportunity for my family to discover another country and culture. Promotion provided a big event in my life.

To be a Heartist® is to care for other people. In our industry it is important to try to provide the best experience for everyone but to do that you need to be empathetic and to make customers feel at home while they are away from home; when they are outside their comfort zone. It is nice for them and for you, to make a difference to a moment in their life. You can personalise guests’ stay and give a sense of hospitality.

Hospitality has the great advantage of providing opportunities for development in operational or strategic areas; no two days are the same, and the sector is dynamic, so you need to be patient and care for people. It is also important to have an idea of what you want out of life, have defined career goals so that you can see you are moving on, and try always to be curious and to learn everything within your grasp.

It is a huge sector to work in, whether operational or strategic. Sometimes people see hotel jobs as a receptionist, housekeeping or waiter, but you can also work behind the scenes. There is a whole world of hospitality to discover, with all the opportunities that gives, so be focused, define your goals, and have a plan; it is not easy but it is satisfying. I love it!