Denise Lim, Global Partner Marketing Manager at SAP Singapore, shares with me in this Alumni Voices episode how her internships in events management became stepping-stones to a career in technology events. From managing international conferences to adapting to the rise of virtual events, Denise reflects on the lessons, challenges, and opportunities that shaped her professional journey.

📌 Key Takeaways:
• Internships at Pico International and Koelnmesse gave Denise hands-on experience with government and international conferences, building the foundation for her career.
• Being entrusted with real responsibility as an intern — including managing registration teams and handling client issues — built confidence and leadership skills.
• She stresses the importance of seeking a holistic internship by observing and learning from colleagues across roles like speaker management, sponsorships, and content design.
• Denise highlights the major industry shift to hybrid and virtual events, which now allow companies to reach a truly global audience.
• At the heart of events is human connection — success comes from creating spaces for networking, empathy, and meaningful interactions.s

In this episode of Alumni Voices, I talk with Jeanne Hizon, Director of Sales at the Kimpton Hotel Enso in San Francisco. Jeanne shares how curiosity, relationship-building, and adaptability helped her turn early frontline jobs into a thriving career in hotel sales — and why networking remains her superpower.

📌 Key Takeaways:•

• Curiosity opens doors – Jeanne’s journey began by simply asking hotel guests how they got into the business.
• Learning by doing builds confidence – Working in hospitality while studying at SFSU let her immediately apply what she was learning in class.
• Sales needs a spotlight – She reminds students that sales is a powerful, people-driven path within hospitality often overlooked in internships.
• Tech can’t replace human connection – Tools like Amadeus and Salesforce help, but empathy and authentic service define success.
• Networking never stops – Jeanne believes staying connected and giving back are the keys to long-term career growth.

Christine Nelson, a dual director of sales for Intermountain Management, reflects on how a hands-on internship and an unexpected opportunity led her into a thriving career in hotel sales. In this Alumni Voices episode, she discusses the value of adaptability, initiative, and critical thinking as keys to internship success.

📌 Key Takeaways:·

• Hands-on marketing and event planning during her Habitat for Humanity internship gave Christine confidence and sparked her creativity.
• Her hospitality sales career began unexpectedly after a Marriott manager offered her a job during a casual lunch conversation.
• Cold-calling for donations helped her develop sales skills that became foundational in her hotel career.
• She emphasizes that critical thinking is what distinguishes strong interns and future professionals.
• Christine recommends researching hotel development programs like Marriott’s Voyager and committing to long-term growth within a brand.