Do you know the feeling of counting down the hours or minutes until you can leave the office again? Well, I can happily say I do not. Since I joined the University of Groningen two and a half years ago, I have been enjoying my work and feeling at home in the faculty of Economics and Business as a skills trainer. Before I tell you more about my current job, I think it is wise to tell you about how I got there. My career path looks somewhat unconventional at first sight. I often receive questions about it: how does someone with a degree in nutrition and hospitality management find themselves teaching professional skills at the University? Let me explain.

From student to teacher

I have a degree in nutrition and dietetics, but figured out fairly soon (after the first year of studying) that the hospital or a health practice was not my place. I was not sure what was my place, so I finished the studies anyway. As a student, I happily worked in restaurants and made it my fulltime job after my bachelor's degree – until Covid came around. Every cloud has a silver lining, I discovered quickly. Being let go allowed me to pursue a master’s degree, in hospitality management. During this master's, I could combine my love for the industry ánd for learning. When a vacancy opened up at the hotel management school in Leeuwarden, one of my teachers said to me: “Would this be something for you? I believe you would be very good at teaching.” I never considered myself being a teacher, but did decide to give it a go on the last possible day to respond. With good luck.

Knowledge and skills

During my time as (food and beverage) teacher at the hotel management school, I quickly realized that students were struggling most with themes such as working together as a team, effective communication, critical thinking and self-management. You can read books and build on your theoretical knowledge your whole life (if you know how!). So in order to be effective in your work and life, you need skills. I think my predecessor blog-writer will agree: no proposal is worth considering if you do not have the skills to bring this across effectively. No one wants a manager that is not able to listen. No one enjoys working together if you are not able to communicate effectively and knowledge becomes useless if you're unable to apply or share it.

This perspective came together in a job vacancy that I saw online in April 2023. It embodied all of the above: teacher/trainer personal and professional development at the UG. I had to show my own skillset during the recruitment procedure: the selection committee was my group of students and I had to provide a teaching moment. Now, I am supporting all kinds of students to develop their professional skills, in order to help them prepare for the working field.

Non linearity

Long story short, I came to find that a career path is rarely linear. As a young professional, it takes time, trial and error and other people to figure this out. I hope that young professionals trust not only their degrees, but also their skillset. Some people know what they want to do professionally when they are young and study accordingly. Most young people do not. Do you do what you do because you have been limiting yourself by your degree, or because it suits you well and you enjoy it?

That one teacher

Upcoming September marks five years of being in education. I can say I am exactly where I need to be. Without the nudge of my own teacher, I would not be where I am today. I hope to have an impact on the lives of young people, too. Everyone remembers one (or more, if you are lucky) teacher in their life that said something you still remember to this day. What it takes is for someone to truly see you. Or as some might call it to come full circle: hospitality.

All the best,

Sophie