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Kassandra, Consultant at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts: Advize Career Interview
Kassandra's career journey showcases an inspiring path from education and non-profit work to a leading role at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
A transition from teaching children with special needs and managing training at Make-A-Wish to a global consulting position highlights adaptability and a dedication to service.
Current responsibilities involve technology training, leadership development, and globally standardizing processes.
A flexible schedule and the opportunity to work with passionate individuals dedicated to providing exceptional service are major highlights.
Success in this field, Kassandra reveals, hinges on strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to connect with individuals across language and cultural barriers.
The interview reveals valuable insights into entry-level positions, the importance of understanding diverse roles within the hotel industry, and how a focus on skill sets rather than titles can unlock career opportunities.
A commitment to representation, particularly for Latinas, further underscores Kassandra's impressive and impactful career path.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kassandra Rodriguez
Consultant
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Texas Christian University- 2009
Southern Methodist University - Masters in Teaching and Learning
Psychology
Hospitality & Restaurants
Business Strategy
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path of a Consultant at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Kassandra's career path demonstrates a fascinating transition from behavioral therapy for children with special needs and four years in education with Teach for America to a role in the hospitality industry with a luxury hotel brand since 2014; this journey included a significant pivot from the non-profit sector, where Kassandra worked as a training manager for Make-A-Wish, highlighting a commitment to impacting children's lives alongside a willingness to adapt to evolving circumstances.
Main Responsibilities of a Consultant at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Kassandra's main responsibilities as a Consultant at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts center on learning and development, focusing on "taking the technology…and finding ways to teach this," globally standardizing technology use through training and resource creation, and developing leaders through workshops. This highlights a career path emphasizing both technological proficiency and leadership development within the luxury hospitality sector.
A Day In The Life Of A Consultant At Four Seasons Hotels And Resorts
Kassandra's role as a Four Seasons Consultant involves supporting global teams with flexible hours, meaning "my day-to-day looks really different," ranging from early morning calls to late-night training sessions. This flexibility is a key benefit, allowing for a better work-life balance compared to previous, more travel-intensive roles.
Most Important Skills for a Consultant at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Kassandra's diverse career path, ranging from teaching to hospitality consulting, highlights adaptability and a focus on skill-set acquisition for each role. The ability to connect with people and a "heart of service or passion for helping people," alongside training experience, are cited as key assets in her current position as a Four Seasons Consultant.
Favorite Parts of Being a Consultant at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Kassandra, a Four Seasons Consultant, most enjoys working with passionate individuals dedicated to service, stating that "it's much easier to teach tools or policies when you find people that are passionate about service". This passion, coupled with the global reach of the company, allows for development of "people across the globe that all have the same goal of just really helping others".
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Consultant at Four Seasons
Kassandra, a Four Seasons Consultant, identifies a significant challenge as "teaching...when English is not their first language," despite English being a company requirement for employees. To overcome this language barrier, the company implements various solutions including "providing additional resources...so you can hear it. You can watch it. You can read it."
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Hospitality Industry As A Consultant
Kassandra, a Four Seasons Consultant, finds the greatest reward in the "opportunity to go all over the world," a stark contrast to previous roles where the focus was on direct aid, highlighting the unexpected impact of creating "personal connections" and bringing joy through simple acts like a smile in luxury hospitality.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Hospitality Industry, According To A Consultant At Four Seasons
Kassandra, a Four Seasons Consultant, highlights the importance of "making personal connections" and "attention to detail" for success in the luxury hospitality industry, emphasizing that while technical skills are teachable, exceptional individuals differentiate themselves through these interpersonal and meticulous skills.
What a Consultant at Four Seasons Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Hospitality Industry
Kassandra, a Four Seasons Consultant, learned that working with high-value assets, especially in luxury hospitality, involves navigating intense emotions from clients; "a lot of emotion tied to their stay, their assets, or even just their experience overall," requiring a shift in perspective from solely focusing on customer service challenges to understanding the emotional context of each interaction.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Hotel Professionals at Four Seasons
Entry-level hospitality roles, such as "assistant manager" or "front desk agent," are accessible to undergraduate students; however, Kassandra emphasizes the value of understanding all roles within a hotel, stating "it's important to understand the people that you supervise and understand even other parts of the hotel." This foundational knowledge, gained through experience in various positions, can accelerate career progression to managerial roles post-graduation.
Significant Career Lesson From a Consultant at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
A significant career lesson for Kassandra is to focus on "the description or the skill set" of a job rather than just the title, broadening career opportunities. This approach, combined with a mentor's advice to "come to work with your day off self," fostered a more enjoyable and productive work experience.
College Experiences That Helped a Consultant at Four Seasons Succeed
Kassandra's college success stemmed from active involvement in student government, which taught valuable lessons in teamwork and leadership, ultimately reinforcing their understanding that "working better when surrounded by people" is key to their success. This experience, coupled with the realization of their strengths and preferences, directly contributed to their thriving career in a community-focused environment at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
How Identity Has Influenced a Consultant's Career at Four Seasons
Kassandra's Hispanic and female identities weren't initially a major focus in their career aspirations; however, university broadened their perspective, leading to a realization of the importance of representation. Now, they see "a lot of power behind...seeing someone who looks like you," aiming to be a role model for their daughters and future generations of Latinas in the workforce.
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