Hilton Volunteer Day
On Thursday, October 13, 2011, 58 general managers – representing Hilton and Doubletree hotels across the country – were provided a “service opportunity” to meet with students from three Fairfax County (Virginia) schools academy programs (mini schools-within-a-school). Each school program focuses on hotel management, culinary arts and workforce preparedness for the hospitality industry. The program allowed for exchange of career information, tips in interviewing techniques (including an opportunity for mock interviews), and a team–building cookie decorating project.
2011 Accomplishments:
- Hotel general managers met with 46 Fairfax County Public School students with career aspirations to work in the hospitality industry were given a golden opportunity to informally meet with general managers to seek career advice and develop job interviewing tips.
- General Managers discovered the future of their industry by meeting a group of motivated, committed students.
- Decorated 450 cookies to benefit a local food bank.
- The unknown, and perhaps the most intriguing possible impact from the day’s program, is how this one day could make a difference for the students and the general managers in the future. Could a general manager/ student exchange be an inspiration for a student’s career path? Could an interviewing tip or the mock interview exercise be the difference between getting hired over a job prospect that did not have this day’s experience? Will a general manager approach hiring a young person with new optimism or commitment? Will a general manager take the concept of a day of community service to their own property/own town?
