Vimbai Moyo '16

Vimbai Moyo ’16 wasn’t shy about going to the Chase Career Center for help on her resume—again and again. She wanted to get it just right.

“The feedback that Kim at the Career Center gives is direct,” Vimbai says. “Which is why I kept going back to her.”

Her re-writes paid off. Vimbai, a Hospitality and Tourism Management major, attended the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) 2014 National Conference. Hilton Properties was at the event to share their internship program. Vimbai interviewed on the spot, handing over her polished resume.

She landed the job, and was placed in the Human Resources Department of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

“I had never worked in an office setting, so that was new for me,” Vimbai says. In her role, she got a bird’s eye view of working with hotel unions, calculating FMLA leave, and training new hires.

Beyond the resume, Vimbai says joining NSMH was key—something her advisors at Isenberg suggested she do her freshman year. She quickly gained leadership positions in the club, and is now the northeast regional chair.

“Isenberg started me off with that opportunity, I just ran with it,” she says. “Isenberg pushes you to challenge yourself.”

Another challenge: her HTM courses. She says one course in particular stands out so far for its unconventional, hands-on approach. In Food Service Management 350, students were instructed to establish a business concept from scratch, culminating the group project with a full business plan.

Vimbai’s group planned a sustainable farm-to-table restaurant. They had to decide where to strategically build a restaurant that needs consistent access to fresh food. They built a menu, taking into account the costs of food, like a pound of tomatoes. And they considered the restaurant design, learning that design will affect the success of the business.

“This class made the concepts come to life,” she says.

Vimbai was drawn to the HTM major because it fits her personality.

“I care a lot about people,” she says. “I’m very driven and hardworking, and even in my experiences in the industry so far, you need to have a good work ethic or you won’t survive the longer hours and the surprises that will be thrown at you all day.”

And she chose Isenberg because she wanted “a great education without too much of a financial burden.”

A year from graduating, Vimbai is still deciding on her future plans. She’s considering pursuing hotel development. In the meantime, she’s taking advantage of the career help that Isenberg offers.

“Isenberg has already created such a great network for me that I’m tapping into now,” she says. “I now have connections all over. Isenberg links you to people and then you always have each other. You end up being very proud to a part of the Isenberg community.”