From Passion to Profession: Jamie Nguyen’s Path to a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management
Some people know from a young age what they want to do when they grow up. South Seattle College student Jamie Nguyen is one of those people.
Born and raised in Vietnam, Jamie always had a passion for people. She enjoyed helping manage her family’s home improvement store, where she practiced her problem-solving and management skills. Later, she decided to pursue a degree in hospitality and tourism management to further her path towards a career that would allow her to interact with people of diverse backgrounds on a daily basis.
“As a woman of Vietnamese heritage, hospitality has always been an essential part of my culture.”
After earning her Associate of Science degree at Broward College Vietnam, Jamie wanted to further her education and skills, so she enrolled in South Seattle College’s Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Hospitality Management (HMG).
“I chose this program because it would allow me to combine my career interests with my cultural heritage.”
South’s BAS HMG is unique in its focus on providing applied management training. It prepares students for management, marketing, human resources, and technical positions in all facets of the hospitality industry, including tourism, hotel operation, restaurant management, catering, cruise ship-casino operations, and travel.
“My professors are very accessible and take the time to get to know each student. The small class sizes allow me to dive more in-depth into the content and learn more.”
Students have opportunities to gain direct experience through internships and networking.
“We have several quarter-long simulations where we work in teams to manage a business. The scenarios presented are challenging, and the lessons apply to the real world.”
Not only does the program provide worker retraining opportunities, but it is also more affordable than other similar bachelor’s programs, with participating students also eligible for Seattle Colleges Foundation scholarships. “These scholarships have been very beneficial in helping me finance my education and achieve my academic and career goals,” said Jamie about the awards she received.
The hybrid nature of the program allows students to adapt their studies to their life needs. South Hospitality students have the option to study in person, online, or a mixture of the two. This flexibility has enabled Jamie to have a part-time job in the industry while she works towards completing her bachelor’s degree.
“I am currently a Front Desk Agent at a Hilton hotel in Seattle. A lot of what I’ve learned in the program has been directly applicable to my job. The program has taught me more about the various aspects of hotel operations, such as restaurant and front desk management, sales, revenue, and rules and regulations. Additionally, the program has given me the skills to navigate the challenges of the hospitality industry.”
In addition to her part-time job in hospitality, Jamie also works as a Work Study intern at South Seattle College in the Human Resources department.
Another way South connects its hospitality students to industry leaders is by inviting students to attend monthly events organized by the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE). There, guest speakers share insights on how to become better hospitality professionals.
In the future, Jamie aspires to work in a role such as a Human Resources Specialist or Hotel General Manager. She recommends the program for any student who is interested in the hospitality industry.
“The two years in the BAS HMG program fly by quickly. Make sure to utilize all of the resources offered by the program, and get to know your peers and professors.”
Apply now to study Hospitality Management at South Seattle College
The BAS in Hospitality Management program prepares students who have completed AA, AB, or AAS-T degrees in accounting, business information technology, culinary arts, or other areas of study for management-level positions in the hospitality industry. Learn more about the admission requirements and start your application today.
Learn more about South’s BAS HMG
- Visit the Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Management website
- Sign up to attend an online info session about the program
- Contact program specialist Oscar Witron for more information at Oscar.Witron@seattlecolleges.edu