Congratulations to Yashoda Gurung, a NOVA graduate and current student at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore’s hospitality-tourism management student at The Universities at Shady Grove.  She recently won a $15,000 scholarship from the Washington DC chapter of NEWH, Inc., (the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality).

Garung completed her degree at NOVA just last may in Hospitality Administration/ Management.  She hopes to work in the hotel industry, and will definitely achieve all her dreams. 

What has made you always want to pursue this career?

I have always wanted to pursue a career in hospitality because I grew up in India, and over there my family worked at a guest house and the guest house was owned by a British couple who took care of me as well.  I was always hospitable.  And so, I was always interested in this program.” 

How would you feel getting into your first hospitality management position? 

I want to be able to express my ideas.  Even at NOVA, there was a whole class on menu planning and I enjoyed it so much.  With knowing recipes and food, and putting it into words and ideas and building a menu and managing.  Even the accounting parts were enjoyable there.

How did you feel about winning this award?

This scholarship is really going to take me far. I have always heard about NEWH, the Hospitality Industry Network, and was humbled to get this award.

What are your goals after graduation?

My next goal is to look for an internship or to work at a hotel.  I really want to experience working in a hotel.

What was your experience like at NOVA? 

Initially, when I first came to the US, I enrolled at Florida International University, but it got expensive.  And so, I moved to NOVA because I had some family and so that cut out living costs.  My uncle told me about NOVA. 

The professors like; Mark Stillions were really great.  He would always cheer me on.  I would always share with him the universities I would apply, and he was helpful. 

Dr. Jill, she’s a super fun professor, especially with her stories – her teaching ways – she would always share her own experience.  Knowing her experience – knowing that she worked for Ritz Carlton and it inspires me – I want to do the same.  I want to be where she’s at. 

It really inspires me to achieve the same, a similar path to my professors.  I want to be as goal oriented as possible.  I want to be where they are.  Especially Dr. Jill, it would be a dream to work at a boutique hotel or like a brand like the Ritz.  Before I wouldn’t’ think that high, I thought I would just work in a hotel and work my way up until I became a GM.  Then after NOVA, I want to go even higher – and even become an owner one day and own a franchise restaurant.  I want to have really big drams -- I loved my experience at NOVA.

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