College experiences that helped a Vice President of Hotel Operations at a Large Hotel Casino succeed
Tommy, a Vice President of Hotel Operations, pursued a psychology degree at UNLV while working in hotels since age 17, believing that "better understanding people" would enhance their career. The experience of simultaneously working and studying allowed Tommy to directly apply academic learning, such as "proper ability tree" from statistics, to their workplace, demonstrating the value of integrating classroom knowledge with practical experience for career advancement.
Psychology, People Skills, Work Ethic, Academic Application, Higher Education
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Tommy Harris
Vice President of Hotel Operations
Large Hotel & Casino Brand
University of Nevada Las Vegas / 2022
UCLA / MBA - Expected graduation June 2024
Psychology
Hospitality, Restaurants & Events
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Work and study simultaneously: Juggling work and academics helped Tommy directly apply classroom learning to his workplace, enhancing his understanding of people and improving his professional skills.
2. Psychology's role in professional success: Tommy's psychology degree provided him with valuable insights into human behavior, which significantly benefited his career in hotel operations by enabling him to better understand and manage people.
3. Academic excellence matters: Maintaining good grades is crucial for future career advancement, including the possibility of pursuing further education like an MBA program. Tommy emphasizes the importance of focusing on key details and utilizing academic knowledge in practical situations.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I did my undergraduate studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, majoring in Psychology. People would ask why I didn't go into hotel school, considering I'd worked in hotels since I was 17. However, I had another passion: psychology.
I always wanted a degree and to learn more about psychology. So, I pursued a bachelor's in that field. Psychology, the study of the mind, was a significant benefit and enhancement to my work.
I deal with many people, and I felt that understanding them better would be advantageous. It certainly wouldn't have hurt my career, which is how I viewed it. I always took something from each of my psychology classes and even those not directly related to my major, applying it to my work.
A key factor was that I always worked while attending school. I never just did school and then worked. Some people may have a different path and are fortunate enough not to need to work while studying.
However, I believe it's crucial to work and go to school concurrently. The two can complement each other, allowing you to directly apply academic learning to your work environment. Even if you're not in management, you can still apply what you learn.
For instance, learning new vocabulary in an English class can help you articulate yourself better. I always tried to bring elements from every class and every opportunity at UNLV back to the workplace.
I had a general rule of taking at least one or two key takeaways from each class. A perfect example is probability trees, which I learned in statistics. I had never encountered it before but saw its value and now use it regularly.
As you progress through your undergraduate career, remember why you are there. It's not just about graduating but also about personal and professional growth. If you aspire to higher-level positions, like C-suite jobs, you need to prepare for graduate school, and your grades matter.
"C's get degrees" will get you a bachelor's, but it won't necessarily get you into a good MBA program. Keep in mind that you're doing this for something bigger and better, which stems from your time in class and earning your degree.
While you may not absorb everything taught, focus on the high-level details and note them properly. You can reference them later when dealing with situations. Sometimes, I recall something from a past class that is applicable to a current situation.
The academic perspective can offer more depth than experience alone. It's always beneficial to have that additional perspective and information to make the best decisions.