I left Turkey in my early 20s and moved around Europe eventually landing in London. I had been a waiter, barman, security guard, night porter and a cleaner, but I wanted to do better. I could speak four languages, but I couldn’t get a better job, and while I was making sandwiches in a factory, I decided it was time to return to study.
Having worked in and around the leisure and hospitality industries almost all my working life, I decided to do a BTEC National Diploma in Travel and Tourism at my local college, Waltham Forest College. The course gave me a recognisable qualification that proved the skills I had. I also took a course to improve my English, particularly reading and writing.
The course transformed my life. Within a month of finishing I had three job interviews and was offered two jobs! I started working on reception at a hotel, and in the space of two years have been promoted to Senior receptionist. I deal with guests all day, dealing with every imaginable request and problem. The hotel is part of a large international group, with over 20 hotels in the UK as well as many other countries. There are many opportunities to progress within the company, and possibly move to a different country. But right now I am very happy where I am, doing what I’m doing.
