Brooke Weidman
Q&A
Q. Where are you employed? What is your Title?
Hilton Chicago/ Indian Lakes Resort, Sales Manager
Q. What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is working with so many different people. Every client is unique which means everyday brings something new and exciting.
It is very rewarding when you create a wonderful experience for a guest!
Q. What do you consider to be your most valuable contribution to your organization for which you work?
My most valuable contribution would be my positive attitude. The Hospitality Industry is all about Customer Service. It takes a certain type of
individual to be successful in this field. You have to be able to communicate well and genuinely like working with people. It sounds simple, but going
to work everyday with a smile on your face and dealing with high demands from clients can be hard for some. My positive attitude and sense of humor makes
every part of my job more enjoyable.
Q. Given your career path, where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I would eventually like to be a meeting planner for a large corporation or organization. Working as a Sales Manager in a hotel will give me the
experience I need to be able to be very successful in this field.
Q. Do you have any words of advice/recommendations? a. for undergrads still searching for a major-would
you recommend RST and why?, b. for the undergrads currently in the program c. for the senior currently looking for his/her
first position.
a. Yes, I would most definitely recommend RST as a major. Unlike many other majors, there are numerous paths you can take with RST. If you are
like me, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do when I was in school. However, with this major you learn all the skills you will need to be successful in any field you choose.
b. Take advantage of any internship or part time jobs you can while in school. Much of the knowledge you will need in the hospitality industry comes from real life experiences.
c. Entry level positions in the hospitality industry may not pay what you're expecting to earn right when you graduate. However, once you get your foot
in the door and show them what you are capable of, that salary will rise considerably. Don't let the wages discourage you in the beginning, because it will be worth it in the end!
Q. Please add anything else that might be helpful.
If you are interested in Hospitality, I would recommend minoring in Spanish. Many of the people you interact with on a day to day basis speak Spanish
and it is a great advantage to have this on your resume.