Meet Swati Kesari – a young woman whose story will make you believe that dreams really do come true when you combine passion with the right preparation.
Just two years ago, Swati was like many of us – a hopeful graduate from the Batch of 2024, clutching her degree and wondering if she had what it takes to make it in the competitive world of hospitality. Today, she’s living proof that sometimes, the stars align perfectly when hard work meets opportunity.
The Beginning: More than Just another Job
When Swati first walked into the Sales and Marketing Department of her new company, she wasn’t just starting a job – she was beginning a journey she never quite expected. “I was nervous,” she admits, “but also incredibly excited. All those case studies and presentations we did in college suddenly felt real.”
What set Swati apart wasn’t just her academic knowledge? It was something deeper – a genuine curiosity about people, an eagerness to understand what makes guests tick and an infectious enthusiasm that her colleagues couldn’t help but notice.
The Climb: Three Promotions in Twelve Months
Here’s where Swati’s story gets really interesting. In an industry where career progression often moves at a snail’s pace, Swati achieved something remarkable – three promotions in just one year. But this wasn’t luck or favoritism. This was pure merit in action.
“Each promotion felt surreal,” Swati reflects. “I remember calling my parents after the first one, and they thought I was joking. By the third promotion, even I had to pinch myself.”
Her secret? She approached every challenge like a puzzle waiting to be solved. When market trends shifted, she didn’t just adapt – she anticipated. When clients had concerns, she didn’t just address them – she prevented them from happening again. Her managers quickly realized they had someone special on their team.
The Foundation: How College Really Prepared Her
But let’s rewind a bit. Swati’s rapid rise didn’t happen in a vacuum. Those seemingly endless training sessions, the group projects that ran late into the night, the industry mentors who pushed her beyond her comfort zone – they all played a part.
“I used to wonder why we had to do so many presentations,” Swati laughs. “Now I realize I was building confidence without even knowing it. When I had to pitch to my first major client, it felt natural because I’d essentially been practicing for two years.”
The hands-on experience she gained during college – managing real events, handling actual customer complaints, working in operational kitchens – gave her a level of practical understanding that many of her peers lacked. She wasn’t just academically prepared; she was emotionally and professionally ready.
The Real Impact: Beyond Personal Success
What makes Swati’s story even more meaningful is how she’s using her success to lift others. She’s become an informal mentor to newer team members, often sharing the lessons she learned during her college years. Her managers have noted how she brings out the best in her teammates – a leadership quality that’s rare in someone so early in their career.
“Success feels different when you can share it,” Swati says. “Every time I help a colleague solve a problem or see a junior team member gain confidence, it reminds me why I love this industry.”
The Bigger Picture: What Swati’s Story Really Means
Swati’s journey isn’t just about one person’s success – it’s about what becomes possible when education meets opportunity. It’s about how the right training doesn’t just prepare you for your first job, but for the career you never even dreamed was possible.
For current students who might be wondering if all those assignments and training sessions are worth it, Swati’s message is clear: “Trust the process. Every skill they’re teaching you, every challenge they’re putting you through – it’s preparing you for moments you can’t even imagine yet.”
Looking Forward: The Story Continues
As Swati continues to climb the corporate ladder, she carries with her not just the technical skills she learned, but the values instilled during her education – integrity, service excellence, and the belief that hospitality is about creating meaningful human connections.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder that in today’s competitive world, talent combined with the right foundation is unstoppable. She’s not just a success story for her institution – she’s an inspiration for everyone who believes that with the right preparation and mindset, extraordinary things are possible.
“Sometimes I look back and think about that nervous graduate who started this journey just one year ago,” Swati muses. “I’m proud of how far she’s come, but I’m even more excited about where she’s going next.”
Written By
Ms. Akanksha Gulati
SOHMCT – HM