George Brown helps graduate move into management role at Westin
Pasu Chu credits George Brown’s Hotel Management program with boosting him to the next level in his career and helping him achieve his current role of assistant manager of banquets at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto.
"George Brown’s program took the spark of my initial interest in hotels and ignited it fully through its immersive teaching," says Chu.
A practical direction
Working as a server and bartender after earning his business management degree from the University of Toronto, Chu soon went looking for a program that would extend his skills and increase his industry connections. "There was no better place for me to begin with than a college that was in the downtown core and connected to the hotels that I wanted to work in," he says.
Chu was attracted to the program for its variety of courses, plus the experiential learning opportunities. "Hospitality is best taught outside the classroom, and learning about hotel management through networking, site visits, and internships were all a direct result of the professors’ connections," he says. Chu, in turn, threw himself into the program, taking on a role as a founding member of the George Brown student chapter of the Hotel Association of Canada.
Fun along the way
Chu says a standout moment was an end-of-year trip to Europe with fellow students that provided a window into international hotels and hospitality standards. "This trip really fuelled my passion for travelling and showed me the world of hospitality beyond the academics," he says.
After graduation, Chu spent 18 months in the Fairmont Royal York’s leadership development program, rotating through various roles as a management trainee. "I quickly realized many of the skills I learned in class mirrored the key functionalities of a hotel, from Hospitality Accounting to Facilities Management to Marketing Principles," he says.
Shortly after, he transitioned to his current role, where he liaises with planners to manage events at the Westin from start to finish, scheduling a team of over 70 people.
Chu’s role also involves returning to George Brown’s career fair to recruit new talent. "I enjoy being a part of this cycle to motivate current students, just as previous industry professionals had done for me," says Chu.
