“..if your child says that they want to go into hospitality, trust their instincts…”
Lauren Mcullagh, Group Business Meetings & Events Supervisor, Hand Picked Hotels
November 2024
“Hospitality is so misunderstood, and I wish people would realise it’s not just a stop gap, it can be a career. It enables the perfect work life balance and provides opportunities like no other!”
My career in hospitality started as many usually do, a part-time job alongside my A levels to gain a bit of extra pocket money. At that time, I would’ve never believed anyone who said that I’ll be in hospitality as a career but here I am! Hospitality is so misunderstood, and I wish people would realise it’s not just a stop gap, it can be a career. It enables the perfect work life balance and provides opportunities like no other!
My first hospitality job was on a reception in a pizza takeaway shop. In this role I very quickly learnt about how important pace is within the industry. Roles in hospitality are generally very fast paced, you’re constantly thinking on your feet and making split second decisions. Learning about this helped me develop skills in complaint management as there would be multiple each shift. As long as these are dealt with in the correct way you can still leave a positive influence on a guest/customer, they aren’t always a bad outcome. This ignited my desire to make a change and be that person that can make an influence and brighten someone’s day.
“Hospitality, to me, cuts a little deeper than I probably realised…”
Hospitality, to me, cuts a little deeper than I probably realised. My mam took seriously ill around this time, and it provided me with the perfect escape from my home life, being a young carer at the time, that I didn’t know that I needed. Hospitality provided me with anonymity where nobody knew what was going on in my personal life and it was great just to be treated normally.
“My career became of great importance and whilst others my age were out drinking and spending their money, I was working full-time and saving up all my money”
From this point, I wanted to live and breathe hospitality. I went on to complete a degree at Leeds Beckett University for Hospitality Business Management and alongside this worked for the Bannatyne Group doing various roles including waitressing, reception, café which gave me the invaluable experience and I don’t think I would’ve been where I am today without their support. They gave me responsibility and trusted me to run departments at the age of 20 which was unheard of not only for my colleagues but also my peers. My career became of great importance and whilst others my age were out drinking and spending their money, I was working full-time and saving up all my money.
Once it was time to move back home and start my post university life, I was given the opportunity to be a duty manager at The Croft Hotel, part of the Best Western Group. I couldn’t believe they had taken a leap of faith on me, and they were trusting me to run their hotel! My career had taken off with a bang and I was able to engage and learn all departments including, restaurant, events, private dining, weddings, reception, housekeeping whilst also ensuring the smooth running of the entire hotel. I worked various shifts which gave me the flexibility to have time off when I needed it but also, I knew that there would be plenty of overtime if I ever needed it.
Fast forward to today, I am working with Hand Picked Hotels as a Business Meetings and Events Specialist. A role that has enabled me to use hospitality in a way that I never have, rather than being operationally based, I am building relationships with clients over the phone and via email which takes a certain skill.
“Now at the age of 24, I have bought a house, car and got married all thanks to the opportunities that hospitality has given me”
Outside of hospitality, the industry has helped me build personally. My confidence has increased massively, and this is due to the constant interaction that I have with people. I’m no longer afraid to say things in case they are wrong, and I have learnt that confidence is key! Now at the age of 24, I have bought a house, car and got married all thanks to the opportunities that hospitality has given me. Even for my wedding day I pulled in all my contacts to help me as suppliers, which made my planning so much easier.
“If there is ever a time where your child says that they want to go into hospitality, trust their instincts…”
If there is ever a time where your child says that they want to go into hospitality, trust their instincts. Some of the young people currently in the industry are now choosing to do apprenticeships and work their way up the ladder rather than going to university and I think this is probably the new normal. This is a great way to start out a career and really go far. The preconceived ideas that the industry is low paid, always long and unsociable hours isn’t true and if your child wants to do this from a young age like me, I’d say back them all way.
Finally, my advice to anyone who has been in my position is don’t give up! You can get to where you want to be. Don’t get me wrong, it is hard at times, but the rewards outweigh this tenfold.