PEOPLE SKILLS!

As I am nearing the end of my Hospitality Management degree, I have been fearful of the strenuous work load.  I recently met with a mentor chef who has been in my position, and we discussed the details of each course I have left.  In doing so, I was able to "map out" my last few quarters at Sullivan.  I will take similar classes concurrently, and I will not be as overwhelmed with expectations.

My classes this quarter are all focused on PEOPLE!  As a chef, my focus is centered more around the food the people eat, rather than the people themselves.  I am eager to develop better people skills, especially in a managerial sense.

• My online class is Human Resources Development in the Hospitality Industry, which discusses the issues regarding a company's HR Department.  I am particularly looking forward to learning the specific laws and guidelines for employee relations.
• My daytime class is The Manager as a Negotiator.  This course details negotiation strategies, which are used more than one would think.  Whether you are buying a new car, discussing stipulations with a potential business partner, or trying to get your 13-year-old son to clean his room, negotiations are everywhere.  You just have to be aware of the situation at hand, learn information about the other parties involved, and be able to use this knowledge to come to an agreement.  
• Lastly, my nighttime class is Organizational Behavior, which studies the characteristics of an company as a function of individual or interpersonal behavior.  In other words, this course discusses how people interact within the business world.

As I grow within the hospitality industry as a chef, I am learning that I cannot hide behind the food I create.  I have to establish a persona of success and character.  The only way to do that is through people: my superiors, my business partners, my employees, and, most importantly, my guests.  I aim to make "work" my passion, and it is important to emit that passion to each person I encounter.  These classes and my every day experiences at Sullivan University allow to to gradually build these necessary skills.

Hayley Charron