I sat down with Niko, an accomplished hotelier with the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo to talk about his experiences in the hotel and hospitality industry, as well as what advice he has for people starting out in their career.
Name: Niko Penttinen
Age: 35
Industry: Hotels
Education: Bachelor of Arts in International Hospitality & Tourism Management
Current Company: Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Current Title: Director of Rooms
1.Why did you choose to pursue a career in Hotels and Hospitality?
My first part-time job was in the hospitality industry (restaurant) and it was a passion from the very beginning. Working was a true pleasure and having the opportunity to create enjoyable and memorable experiences for others along with having the world as my playground, made it an easy choice. The saying of “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” could not be truer.
2. Tell us about a typical day in your worklife.
My role as a Division Head is to drive all departments within the Rooms Division; Front Office, Guest Relations, Concierge, Bell desk, Operator, Business Center and Housekeeping.
The traditional working day is 08:00 – 20:00 and is divided into three parts;
1. Morning: Meetings, sharing essential information with department heads / division heads.
2. Afternoon: Preparation for guest arrivals (room setup), guest engagement (greetings).
3. Evening: Project work and follow up.
The typical working day is always very different as a hotelier, which is the exciting part of this industry. One can never predict whom you will be serving, and each guest has their individual needs, ranging from simple restaurant reservations to arranging private jets.
3. If you did an internship, how did that experience shape your career?
As part of the curriculum at our hotel school in Switzerland, we had to complete two internships. My first internship experience as a Management Trainee in a hotel in Shanghai, China. My second internship was as a Waiter in a restaurant on Aland Islands, Finland.
The most important learning from these experiences was that I was reassured of my passion and it motivated me to pursue a career in this industry. It also provided me a wonderful opportunity to learn about the overall industry and different cultures in each country.
4. If you have worked abroad, how did that experience shape your career?
I have worked abroad since 2006 and it has taught me to adapt quickly to different environments (i.e. cultures). It is a very important skill, which easily can be transferred into the corporate world where cultures in each organization are different.
5. Now that have experience in hotels and you’re in a hiring position, what do you look for in new employees?
I would say the number one thing is making sure that the organizational values and beliefs are in line with yours.
6. What advice would you give someone thinking of entering the Hotel and Hospitality industry?
I would recommend exposing yourself with work or internship experience to understand if it is for you. Many people enter with the wrong mindset, forgetting that we provide the service to our guests (not receiving it). Only individuals with passion for service will last as it is very hard work and long hours before any reward is given. However, no pain no gain…
Interested in an internship in Hotels and Hospitality?
We offer Hotel and Hospitality internship programs across 14 locations. For more experiences, expert stories and tips on interning abroad, check out our blog. And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at hello@beyondacademy.com.
Photo of Mandarin Oriental Tokyo by https://www.kiwicollection.com/
