It's
hard to believe that in less than ten hours, I'll be on a plane headed towards
one of the nation's most famous cities--Chicago. It's even harder to believe
that just a few days after that, I'll be on yet another plane ride to one of
the world's most prestigious schools--Cornell University. This is truly a
unique opportunity, as I have the privilege to experience things that most
people do not get to experience until their adult years. As of know, I'm
feeling a mixture of anxiety and anticipation; on one hand, I'm nervous about
the difficulty level of infamously rigorous course, Hotel Operations: Tactics
for Profitability. On the other, it's the supposed challenging nature of the
course that has me so excited in the first place, as I'm sure that it will make
the class all the more engaging and enthralling.
In
order to prepare for my incoming departure, I've taken the necessary steps to
familiarize myself with the ins and outs of the hospitality industry. I've
recently finished reading Isadore Sharp's Four Seasons: The Story of a
Business Philosophy, a memoir in which Sharp details the
history of both Sharp and his eponymous hotel chain. As the book delves into
Sharp's personal history, the reader can clearly see how the combination
of Sharp's past and his endless ambition led to him becoming one of
the world's foremost entrepreneurs. This book is required reading for
not only the students of Cornell University's Hotel Operations Management:
Tactics for Profitability, but for any individual wishing to
find success in the world of business as the book provides much
insight on the skills and methodologies needed to run a successful
hotel. I've also began reading articles from Hotel News Now, a
online newsletter that provides information on the most up to date and
innovative business strategies.
On
this trip, I hope to find out more about my academic strengths. Currently, I'm
not entirely sure of what I'd like to major in college; I have a passion for
English and Literature, but I'm somewhat wary of choosing either subject as a
major due to the horror stories I hear of post-graduate English majors and the
few job opportunities they find themselves with. I hope that this summer with
help spark an unearthed passion of business within myself, so that I may be
able to broaden my opportunities in college.
Right
now I'm merely counting down the hours until it's time to go. I'm more than
ready to leave--my bags are all packed and accounted for. While I'm not looking
forward to saying goodbye to my mother, I am looking forward to saying hello to
all of the new experiences I'm sure to engage in this summer.
One thing you can be sure of, Tomi, is that you’ll change majors a half dozen times before you decide. That’s one of the reasons these schools require you to take a broad spectrum of courses so you’re exposed to more than what you think might be your future profession.
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