TRAVELLING the world at discounted rates, having access to a wide range of jobs, getting the chance to rapidly climb the career ladder — these are some of the many benefits of working in the hospitality industry as described by a team from Hilton Worldwide to more than 90 Saudi students. Seven members of staff from Hilton Worldwide's KSA corporate offices traveled to the Laureate Jeddah College where they met with students to outline career opportunities in hospitality. The team held a series of panel discussions, presentations and Q&A sessions in which they revealed types of opportunities available in hospitality, ranging from internships to managerial positions. The visit was part of Hilton Worldwide's ‘Global Month of Service' outreach program. Every year, the group's hotels and regional offices reach out to communities in more than 100 countries around the world. Fawaz Moumina, Regional Director of Human Resources, KSA, said: "It was a pleasure to engage with such an enthusiastic group of students who showed genuine interest in exploring the wide range of careers in this fascinating industry." "As well as outlining the types of jobs on offer, we described some of the perks we enjoy, such as the opportunity to travel globally at a discounted rate with your employer. Students asked about the potential to grow in the industry so we raised the example of a colleague who started as a bellboy and is currently heading one of our hotels as general manager. There really are no limits on how far you can go, as long as you are willing to learn and grow." The program focused on opportunities in six cities in the Kingdom where Hilton currently operates - Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Tabuk, Riyadh and Dhahran – and detailed the company's ambitious KSA expansion plans. Students were introduced to the variety of Hilton Worldwide brands currently operating in KSA, ranging from luxury to full service and focused service. The students were made aware of the Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree by Hilton, and the Hilton Garden Inn brands. Hilton Worldwide University was highlighted as an added resource that team members have access to. "'Saudization' and providing opportunities for local nationals are high on our agenda", added Moumina. "We are growing aggressively in KSA and want to embrace the huge pool of talented youth. Our doors and hearts are open so we encourage students to join us on an exciting career." The Global Month of Service initiative forms part of Hilton Worldwide's wider Global Youth Strategy. Announced in 2014, the worldwide commitment aims to impact at least one million young people by 2019 by helping them reach their full potential. Its three main objectives are to open doors for young people by connecting them to the world of travel, prepare them for success in the world of travel through mentorships and apprenticeships, and employ them across all divisions of the business.
