SEE THE WORLD WITH TOURISM
SHANE HANNON was born in Bermuda and spent his early years in Barbados before moving to his parents’ native Ireland at 10 years of age. Now 23, he has worked around the world, helped by his course at Shannon College of Hotel Management.
I have always dreamed of working in prestigious hotels around the world. I grew up around the industry as my parents both work in hospitality so from a very young age I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I also realised early on that I wanted to study at Shannon College of Hotel Management. My parents both attended Shannon and I remember driving by the college when I was young and seeing all the students in their suits, chefs’ whites or service uniforms. The idea of combining practical learning with theory really appealed to me and the opportunity to travel with the course was a big draw.
WORKING ABROAD
The course in Hotel Management is four years and nine months which may seem long but it includes two paid internships. In second year you spend a full year working abroad and at the end of fourth year you travel again, completing a trainee management work placement for at least nine months. The experience you gain during these internships is truly invaluable.
As I had studied Spanish in first year I was given the opportunity to work in Spain for my second year internship and I was placed in the Mandarin Oriental in Barcelona. There I worked in the food and beverage department and rooms division, and I got my first taste of working in a two Michelin starred restaurant, Moments. I also served as a butler and it was a great experience to see just how detailed the service is in such a superb hotel.
I enjoyed my time in Barcelona so much that when it came to my fourth year placement I looked for a role with Mandarin Oriental again. It was always a dream of mine to work in Asia so I opted for one of Mandarin Oriental’s flagship properties in Bangkok where I joined the Food and Beverage Management Development Programme. I learned so much during my year there and it was amazing to experience the Asian culture and meet so many great people.
HELLO HONG KONG
From Bangkok, I headed to Hong Kong where I am currently working as Assistant Restaurant Manager in Pierre Gagnaire’s two Michelin star restaurant, Pierre. I love the job; it is incredible to work with such a great team and the legendary chef Pierre Gagnaire.
As part of my role I work closely with my manager, coordinating and assisting with the day-to-day running of the restaurant operations. I am also heavily involved with a number of administrative tasks that aren’t often seen in a restaurant, including weekly staff rostering and budgeting. Along with this I provide training to enhance the service in the restaurant. At Mandarin Oriental we don’t just want to meet guests’ expectations, we want to surpass them and delight them.
We are open for lunch and dinner on Monday to Friday, dinner on Saturday, and we are closed on Sundays. My day generally runs from 11am to 11pm which may seem long but when you work with a great team and do something that you enjoy the day feels very short. What I love most about this job is interacting with the guests on a daily basis. Watching guests leave the restaurant following a memorable experience is truly rewarding. There is a lot of work that goes in to creating that experience and when guests are impressed it really makes me happy.
ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES
Tourism is a great career to consider. It allows you travel around the world and it opens many doors to endless opportunities. You can meet amazing people, work in exciting places and experience some fascinating cultures. Yes the hours are not nine to five, but let’s be honest if you do something you enjoy on a daily basis I can guarantee the hours won’t feel that much different.
By choosing a career in hospitality you have an opportunity to be part of a growing global industry where skilled workers are in high demand. If you do choose to join the industry then my advice is to travel. Go to places that you may not otherwise have the opportunity to visit. The experience you will gain from doing so is invaluable!
Visit mandarinoriental.com/hong-kong to see where Shane works.
This article originally appeared in the 2020 issue of Get a Life in Tourism.