I didn’t think hospitality was written in the stars. After moving back from Korea, where I had taught for two and a half years, I joined Red Bull and discovered a passion for organising events. I started supporting internal meetings and soon realised I wanted to do it full time. I began looking for events roles, and hospitality felt like the perfect fit. After applying for several positions, I received calls from Accor and another property.

I interviewed at Accor’s Mercure in Earls Court while the property was being refurbished. It looked so impressive—I loved it. I’ve just celebrated my first anniversary, and it has been a dream. I’m really enjoying it.

Hospitality is such fun. You meet people of all ages, from every walk of life and all over the world—it’s a real melting pot. I can be my authentic self and get to know people beyond the surface. Hearing their stories opens you to different cultures, deepens your understanding and makes you more self-aware.

I see my coworkers more than I see my family, so they have become a second family. They are welcoming, and if you’re having a bad day, someone is always there to cheer you up—and you do the same for them.

Everyone should work in retail or hospitality at some point: it teaches you how to understand and talk to people, makes you more compassionate and broadens your horizons. Hospitality takes you beyond your usual bubble and opens you to other cultures. It’s rewarding to solve problems, there are plenty of opportunities and no two days are the same. One day, we hosted a gaming convention; another, university students were sitting an exam. When some arrived without the ID they needed, we helped resolve it so they could take part.

The job is demanding, with long hours and everyone pitching in. That’s where the team and working environment matter: people will stay and help at the drop of a hat. One day you might be typing in the office; the next, setting up chairs or serving dinner. Whatever role you have in mind, you can find it in hospitality.

To me, being a Heartist® means being your authentic self while staying true to the brand. We take pride in where we work and always put our best foot forward. In a world where so much is automated, the human touch matters more than ever.

My career highlight was booking my first event here: an Accor Leisure on Tour event for a couple of hundred people. With multiple vendors, catering and decorations, everything felt up in the air. We worked from early morning until late, and I made hundreds of food labels while checking the set-up and rushing back and forth to the office. It felt make-or-break, but I didn’t crack under the pressure. My team and manager were amazing and kept me calm.

Whatever role you start in, stick with it. Many people begin in housekeeping, for example, before moving into reception or reservations. Where you start isn’t necessarily where you’ll end up, and there are many paths to explore. Accor also offers plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. I’m on the Unite programme to develop my management and speaking skills, which is building my confidence. As Accor is a global company, you might start your career in London or Paris and end up in LA. The world is your oyster!