Dubai based Tanya Saigal Khera, an alumnus of V. M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education (VMSIIHE) talks about her experiences at the premier hospitality management institute and professional journey with the hospitality industry and beyond.
Tanya speaks candidly about dealing with uncertainty due to the sudden onset of the Coronavirus and how she overcame the obstacle by carving out a new path for herself.
How has your 3-years experience at VMSIIHE helped you in where you are in your career today?
Being in VMSIIHE for 3 years gave me and my peers a lot of opportunities to find out what we are good at and what we should be aiming for once the study was over. The learning’s I gained have been immense and very useful in my career. The world class facilities at the campus helped me to be more comfortable with the work environment within the hotel when I eventually took up a job. The guidance of all the faculty along with Prof. Mirza’s guidance made us all professional individuals in our respective careers.
How did your professional journey begin after graduating from VMSIIHE?
My professional journey began with DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai in the Front Office Department. I was in the Guest Relations team as a Guest Relations Officer. I enjoyed the buzz and excitement of working with a leading hospitality brand in a metropolitan city like Dubai.
Since then, you have changed your career path. Tell us more.
Last year was a standstill for many hospitality professionals including me as hotels had to shut operations due to the Covid Pandemic. I made the best of my down time and studied Brand Management and Digital Media, virtually, from one of the esteemed universities in the US. I let go of working in a hotel and I am now working with small establishments and building their brands and improving their social media presence.
What is the one thing you’ve taken from VMSIIHE that has helped you in your journey to where you are now?
Being in VMSIIHE we definitely had so many opportunities to put to test our theory knowledge to practical use. The confidence of being able to handle situations with guests and now, clients, only came from the encouragement of all the faculty and Prof. Mirza while in college, in our practical’s or events we organized.
One thing from VMSIIHE I have taken back with me is to perfect the job you take up, no matter what it is. Whatever job you do, if you put in hard work, you can excel and rise in your career
What are your plans for the future?
I am working on expanding the work I’m doing now, in brand management and digital marketing for small businesses in Dubai and India.
