There is No Such Thing as a Bad Placement

So, why do I say there is no such thing as a bad placement, or even second-class placement? To answer that, you have to consider the objectives of a WIE placement opportunity are. Certainly, one is to learn how to apply what you learned in classroom to the “real-world”, but another very important objective is for you to experience how managers in the hotel and tourism industry manage people.

On the first point, I’ve heard a number of concerns expressed by SHTM students lately, including at the most recent Undergraduate Programme Committee meeting, indicating a sentiment that the only good learning experience is with a five-star hotel or a top level travel organization. Well, I have to tell you that simply is not true. As we all know, the industry is experiencing a very difficult financial situation right now and it’s the hotels at the top of the luxury class and the travel companies who cater to the major global financial corporations who are suffering most. On the other hand, McDonalds is one of the few companies in the USA whose stock has gone up. I’d also point out that three-star hotels in Mainland China are in better shape with occupancy declines than five-star hotels, in fact some five-star hotels are now pricing themselves in the range of three-star properties in some cities just to get business. So, consider the fact that you will learn more about how to apply what you learn in the “real world” if you have customers to serve than if you are doing your placement where business is slow. Also think about it, those making money are more apt to give you more opportunities in the long run, right?

Of course, I don’t mean to imply that a placement with high-end brand hotel or tourism organization isn’t a good thing; it’s just that you can learn from every experience at this stage of your learning process. In fact, when I was in a senior management position with those high-end brand hotels, I often looked to recruit managers from less well-recognized and even less luxurious hotels, because I knew he/she had learned a great deal from that experience and would appreciate what a high-end brand had to offer.

Another challenge some may face is that you end up with a supervisor or manager who doesn’t give you much time or even respect. Our W.I.E. team, Chris and Edelweiss, do everything they can to try and prevent that from happening, but reality tells us not everyone is good at supervising or managing people. Therefore, if you should have an unfortunate situation where the placement doesn’t end up being everything you hoped it would, first let Chris or Edelweiss know, but also consider turning the situation around yourself. What I mean is reflect on it and take it as an experience to learn what you wouldn’t do if you were supervising or managing someone. I know some of my best lessons in management came because of people I worked for whose management style was ineffective. When that happened to me, I tried to make sure I didn’t manage the same way he/she did myself.

As you finish your exams and begin your placements, I trust you’ll keep my words of wisdom in mind. You have to make the placement work for you; it’s really up to you to make the most of it, not the organization or even the supervisor or manager you work with. Enjoy it, have fun, and of course work hard!