Hospitality was not my first choice of career; I started because my first job was being a Maid in housekeeping at an ibis Budget in France. I didn’t speak a word of French and started learning the language and also got interested in working in hospitality; I tried to talk to guests and do a bit more than the cleaning.

The crew in the ibis Budget saw something in me and contacted me to offer me a front desk job when the owner opened an ibis Styles next door; they suggested I change hotels to have a better career.

Previously, I worked in an aparthotel in Portugal which had a convenience store inside the property. I enjoyed dealing with people every day.

I love that Accor encourages us to be creative and that is the main difference between Accor and other brands; and we are there to make guests happy, I love being able to bond with people from all around the world, to learn their story and how they got there.

I would recommend hospitality because it’s a challenge. You can’t please everybody but when you do it’s very satisfying – you feel good about yourself and good for others. You can see good in what you do every day, even if it’s just a bit. This is part of being a; it means I am part of something bigger and my work and my colleagues’ make a difference.

One of the highlights of my experience at Accor is the opportunity I have had to grow and having the opportunity to be part of a new hotel so early in my career. It has not yet been a year since I joined the front desk and it had been open only three months when I started. I have been able to help improve things and put everything in order – it has been quite a challenge but fulfilling. I have enjoyed being able to influence how the hotel is and feels.

It sounds a bit of a cliché but it’s true: if you are new in the profession, don’t give up – if you think you can improve, work hard and people will see that quality in you, and if they are good people, like my managers, they will give you an opportunity; you can impress them and the whole world.