The whys, whats, and hows toward your dream career

By Lorena Valerio

The path to a dream career that makes one excitedly jump out of bed whenever you think about it in the morning has three essential steps: Why you want the said career, what you need to achieve it, and how you can move forward with your plan.

The whys vary per individual. Some may have personal purpose and motivations, while others hope to honor the wishes of those important to their lives. These reasons all have their unique back stories.

To pursue your coveted job, however, all aspirants must be equipped with the whats—the talents and traits required to clinch the position. Thus, it is important for all to possess soft and hard skills that will eventually make them desirable in the field.

Soft skills, abilities that cannot be quantified such as people skills, emotional intelligence, passion and care, professionalism, communication, adaptability, creativity, resiliency, and team work are all key players in brand building and customer loyalty for business to prosper. 

For instance, in the hospitality industry, due to increased competitiveness in the recruitment process, employers expect these traits from employees to successfully face the “better normal.”

Outside of work, these soft skills likewise prove useful as you go through the ups and downs of life.

On the other hand, hard or technical skills, those which can be learned and are essential to accomplish work tasks that entail expertise, are sought-after, especially in post-pandemic industries.

In the world of travel and tourism, these skills include customer experience management, facility management, business simulation, marketing, digital fluency, front office operations, food and beverage service and aircraft cabin service, among many others.

Hard skills hire you, but the lack of soft skills fires you.

The key to advance employability and promotability is the balanced combination of both traits. Hard skills hire you, but the lack of soft skills fires you.

And thus on the hows, to proceed with the plan to achieve the dream post, constant practice and continuous training are essential while maintaining a good work ethic that others should emulate.

While resumes may reflect expertise, only on-hand experience will test one’s attitude and character in day-to-day situations that require a positive outlook. As the saying goes, “It is your attitude, which will determine your altitude.”

The author, chairperson of the Tourism Management Program of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM), is an American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI)-certified hospitality educator (CHE) and American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA)-certified guest service professional (CGSP)-trainer.