The road to management: advice from a former Savignac student

In a world where the road to management positions in the hospitality industry sometimes seems difficult, hearing the story of someone who has paved their way to success is particularly inspiring. With this in mind, we caught up with Pamina, a former student ofÉcole de Savignac, now director of a 3-star hotel at just 25 years of age.

Hello Pamina, can you introduce yourself in a few words?

Hello, my name is Pamina, I'm 25 years old. I studied atÉcole de Savignac, where I spent 5 years. I started in 2016 and finished my MBA in 2021. After graduating, I worked as an assistant manager in a hotel in Cannes. I then seized an opportunity to become manager of a 3-star hotel on the island of Noirmoutier, the Ancre Marine Hotel & Spa.

Can you tell us about your job at the hotel?

Our establishment offers brunch service, a spa and breakfast. We don't have a restaurant, but we do offer room service for lunch and dinner. My responsibility is to manage a team of around 17 people during the high season, down to 10 in the low season. I'm responsible for managing the front office, interacting directly with customers, and I also oversee our relations with suppliers. So the tasks are varied!

How did you get into the business?

I owe my professional success mainly toÉcole de Savignac and my internships. I was able to explore every department: reception, housekeeping and events. I really got to see every facet of the hotel and restaurant business.

After graduating, I learned a lot at Cannes as assistant manager. I worked under a former Savignac student who quickly gave me a lot of responsibility, which went beyond the usual expectations for an assistant director. This experience enabled me to gain self-confidence and grow professionally quite quickly. It was a real springboard.

And that led you to your current position?

Yes, that's right. The opportunity to become manager of a 3-star hotel on the island of Noirmoutier came about thanks to an old acquaintance I'd met during an internship atEcole de Savignac, who contacted me to tell me that the position was available. I applied, and things happened very quickly.

What role hasécole de Savignac played in your career?

A very important role. My parents wanted me to follow a scientific course of study to keep all the doors open to me, with a general background. As for me, as soon as I finished my third year, I was attracted to the hotel and catering sector. A choice that didn't conform to my parents' aspirations.

After I passed my baccalauréat, they told me: "You can do what you want". I passed my baccalauréat and replied: "I want to go toÉcole de Savignac ". That was a turning point in my life, and it boosted my self-confidence. I never imagined I'd be a hotel manager by the age of 25.

What impressed you most about Savignac?

Savignac was an unforgettable experience. The courses are taught by industry professionals. The courses are not simply theoretical lessons. They are real-life case studies that illustrate concrete situations that professionals encounter in their businesses. This approach reinforced my desire to learn and succeed. The school's teaching team is always there to support us, even in moments of doubt. Today, I can say that they have played a key role in my career. We're really supervised and supported in everything we do. And even when we stumble, there's someone behind us to tell us "don't give up". For me, Savignac has been a real pillar in my professional development.

Do you think you need a particular quality or skill to be a manager?

I think open-mindedness is essential. It's something we all share at Savignac. But it's not just that; organization is also essential. It's no mean feat to run a business! Leadership is important too. Being a good manager is great, but being a good leader is even better.

HasÉcole de Savignac contributed to your development in this area?

Absolutely! The School offers a wide range of courses focused on personal development. It's an offer that sets it apart from other establishments. Thanks to the school, we become aware of our skills and learn how to develop them.

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What makes you love the hospitality industry?

It's a passion that drives me. As I mentioned, I've known ever since my ninth grade internship that I wanted to work in this sector. My experiences, especially international internships, have enabled me to discover different cultures and deepen my understanding of customer relations, aspects that are unique to this profession. This passion runs deep. It's hard to explain, but it's what drives me.

If you had to change one thing about your career, what would it be?

If I could change one aspect of my career, it would be to put more faith in my dreams. My ambition is to invest in Vietnam, my country of origin, and open my own hotel there. It's a project I've been passionate about since childhood, but which I haven't actually embarked on yet. Although I've started on the business plan, if I could change anything, it would be to boost myself a little more and believe more in myself to make this project, which is so close to my heart, a reality.

Do you have a story to tell us?

During my third-year internship atÉcole de Savignac, in the events sector, I had an experience that was very significant for me. I worked a lot. This intense period opened my eyes to the reality of the hotel industry, where hours can add up to hours. This key moment taught me the importance of knowing how to say no, to impose myself in an environment where you have to be firm yet friendly. It's not a very amusing anecdote, but this episode played a decisive role in my professional development. It enabled me to position myself with confidence in a demanding sector, and helped me to evolve.

Any advice you'd like to give a student looking to move into a management position?

Never give up! Despite all the obstacles that may come your way, you'll always find a way to get where you want to go. Never giving up is fundamental. Don't hesitate to ask Savignac for help, whether you're still a student or have already graduated. The School offers support at every stage: before, during and after your studies. This support network is invaluable and should not be underestimated.

Last question: what's daily life like in Noirmoutier?

It's pretty special! There's a lot of contrast between the seasons. In winter, the island is fairly quiet, but we still manage to attract a lot of visitors thanks to seminars and tourists who want to discover the Atlantic coast, even in bad weather. The population is much denser from April onwards. There are really two distinct seasons, each offering a different facet of Noirmoutier.