MY LEADERSHIP JOURNEY

Six years seems like an eternity to any college student. It seemed like an eternity to me and crazy to think that is how long I have been in college trying to obtain one bachelor’s degree and 2 associate degrees. However, I would not change one thing! Looking at me today, I have become a stronger and confident woman, who isn’t afraid of taking risks, a social butterfly that escaped from their cocoon, and doing everything in my power to help others around me in anyway. If you asked me what I would be doing once I graduated college, I would have told you either something completely different from what I am currently doing or say I don’t know.


The moment I took step on the SDSU campus, I had a gut felling that his was the right campus for me. It was a campus that could offer so many opportunities to the students. Just like the day I first took step into the Hospitality and Tourism Management program during transfer orientation in 2014. The warm and welcoming feeling the staff members were giving me felt like I was home. A place I know call home due to all the connections I have made that are long life friends, and supporting one another in their hardest times. It is truly a special place in my heart and is the same values and beliefs as seen in the hospitality industry with any guest that either walks in a hotel, restaurant, event, or anywhere. The hospitality industry is a unique and crazy family. Just talking about the program and the school brings me to tears. I think to myself that the hospitality program or SDSU would touch me, but I thought wrong. This school and program has touched me in ways, I didn’t know they could. Ways that would impact my direction and life forever.

After learning about how to be an effective leader and the different types of leaderships was the most surprising thing to me. There is one that stuck with me and influenced me the most, which was developed by Hersey & Blanchard in 1969, which was the situational leadership model. Of this model the supporting and coaching leadership styles are most reflective of my leadership style. As I have mentioned, I have been training, coaching and mentoring fellow students and employees over a duration of 6 years. I truly enjoy watching other succeed and flourish in the opportunities that are presented to them. Both coaching and supporting leadership styles are present in certain situations. I have seen more of a presence of the supporting within my Advising position and mentoring projects throughout the years. I provided the students with the information that was needed but allowed them to make their own decisions and if they took the wrong path, I would advise them rather than bringing them down or providing a negative mindset. However, the coaching will come out when I took on the membership director position with NSMH. Since I was directing others to help with the meetings and signing up of students. Also in my management position at Panera Bread which I was able to gain trust and respect by the employees but also came to realization that the employees are capable of making the decision and handling the situations. It allows the employees to shine and flourish and open more doors for advancement in their careers is what I strive for in the coaching and supportive leadership styles.

Graduating this program you leave with certain traits and qualities of a great leader . One is being professional. You might say how is professionalism a trait? From networking with a variety of industry professionals, from the student association trips, work experience, industry association networking events, and so much more has helped prepare me. Even understanding what is to be professional from the introduction course (HTM 201) and learning the proper way to wear business clothes. Even the type of language used in emails, small talk and on the phone has to do with being professional. It is everywhere and something we cannot escape but rather embrace. Every leader has this trait and it is very important to be credible to the staff members that are under you. This is ingrained in me and is very important to helping create the person I am today.

Another trait that is important to me is being an active listener. This is a trait that I am continually growing on. Active listening is, “a special way of reflecting back what the other person has expressed to let him/her know you are listening and to check your understanding of his/her meaning.” This might be common sense to some, but most people do not realize how important it is and how it is a representation of themselves to others, like a first impression. The Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management always express to students that, “first impressions are lasting impressions.” In my position as an advisor, I continually use this trait. Most students just want to get their class schedules and leave. I personally ask them questions about the program to test their understanding of the program and the options available. I love asking questions, it is like I was meant to ask questions in responses to things. So active listening is varied and evolving as the years go on but it is something one must learn and master to be considered credible in any industry. So that is why I continue to grow and develop on my active listening skills.

Each trait and leadership that I have displayed in my college career has just only helped me to be the best I could be. I live to the motto of, “treating others like you like to be treated.” It is a motto that should be said every day in the hospitality industry. From experience, there has been some tough moments, even break down crying from a guest. I have learned all you can do, is keep moving forward and treat others nicely, not to lash out or get upset, but rather turn that around to a positive. Being optimistic is something that is ingrained and always said about me. I haven’t been on an easy path growing up, always told no, others didn’t believe in me or support me, so instead I took that energy and turned it around and turned it into a positive. A positive to prove everyone wrong and succeed and be the best person I could be no matter what others might say of me. With this mind set, I can accomplish anything including the worst guest that I might encounter to taking horrible jobs along the way. There were times, I would say, “I’d wish I would of done this!” Every step and moment is meant to be and there for a reason, otherwise, I would not be in the position I am in today. I am so thankful for this program and would not change a thing. I am proud to be an Meetings and Events Student in the Hospitality & Tourism Management Program at SDSU. I am proud to be an Aztec for Life! I am proud of the woman I have become and the strength and power I exert. I am proud of the support and courage I have received along the way and hope to pass that on to others. I am proud of whom I am and everything I have accomplished. This is my journey and it is unique to me.