Pathway to hospitality careers

Job opportunities abound in the hospitality industry and an excellent starting point towards working in the hospitality-related sectors is to take up a well-grounded hospitality course.  

DISTED culinary lecturer Victor Soosay (right) speaking on hospitality education and careers to SMK Bagan Jaya students at their school.

“If you learn with the best, you can fly above the rest,” said Victor Soosay, DISTED College culinary lecturer with vast industry and teaching experience. 

When touching on the college’s Diploma in Hospitality Business Management programme, he said: “For quality assurance, it’s best to take a hospitality course that is fully accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)."

“In addition to the full MQA accreditation, our programme has also earned a 5-star excellence rating in the government’s MyQuest 2010/2011, making us the only hospitality school in northern Malaysia to be accorded that high level of recognition.

“Our new hospitality campus is equipped with industry-standard facilities for classroom and practical learning to acquire knowledge and skills that are relevant to the real working world," he said.

DISTED culinary lecturer Victor Soosay demonstrating a point on dining etiquette to SMK Bagan Jaya students.

Victor made the remarks when conducting a hospitality workshop for SMK Bagan Jaya Form 5 students at their school on 26 June 2012. 

“Our hospitality students gain wider work exposure when undergoing an internship at leading international-class hotels and other hospitality establishments.

“During the practical training, they’ll work in 4 major areas of hotel management involving the front office, food and beverage service, housekeeping and kitchen operations,” he pointed out. 

Victor too spoke on hospitality career prospects, dining etiquette besides giving the students a hands-on session on napkin folding. 

Enjoying the session on napkin folding are SMK Bagan Jaya students (from left) Lawrence Ng Mun Choon, Chuah Ping Seng and Woey Soo Chien.

Student Tan Yee Ming commented: “I’ve obtained a better understanding of post-SPM education in hospitality management and its career prospects.” 

School counsellor Chong Li Yah said: “The workshop provided interesting and useful insights into proper table manners for formal dining and party dinners.” 

“The speaker gave pertinent ideas for students to reflect on in planning their choice of careers particularly in the hospitality sector,” she added.

Taking delight in their napkin folding handiwork are SMK Bagan Jaya students Lilian Skading (left) and Tan Yee Ying.