April 6, 2023

Seneca graduate Sam Kim has one piece of advice for students: Don’t be afraid to start chasing your career dreams by working in a junior position.

After all, that’s what he did – and he’s now the manager of a famous luxury hotel in Southern California.

He was recently appointed Manager of the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. The 566-room hotel plays a major role in the Hollywood social scene, annually hosting the Golden Globe Awards and a widely-attended luncheon for Academy Award nominees.

“I am privileged to lead a high-profile property with so much energy and history,” said Mr. Kim.

A decade ago, however, Mr. Kim’s life didn’t contain quite so much glitz and glamour.

He was finishing his studies in the Hospitality – Hotel & Restaurant Services Management program and completing an externship with the Intercontinental Hotels Group.

The externship exposed him to such roles as concierge, bell person and valet – not exactly where he dreamed a career in hospitality would take him but all experiences that he now considers invaluable.

“Take line-level jobs and experience different roles if you have the opportunity to do so,” he said. “Knowledge of different positions will help you get to more senior roles in the future.”

Mr. Kim says his time at Seneca taught him many skills that he has used throughout his career, including leadership, relationship-building, critical thinking and decision-making. He has high praise for faculty in the School of Hospitality & Tourism, who he says played a key role in helping him realize his ambition.

“Seneca has many experienced industry experts who will not only teach you about hospitality, but help you build connections to get your foot in the door,” he said. “I always had a lot of questions and asked for their professional advice on how to get started in this industry.”

Following his graduation in 2013, Mr. Kim advanced through increasingly senior positions with various Marriott hotels in Toronto. He moved to Hilton Toronto in 2018 and remained there until landing the job at the Beverly Hilton earlier this year.

While at Hilton Toronto, he led an extensive renovation project and helped oversee high-profile events, including visits from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former U.S. President George W. Bush. 

He also had a front-row seat to the challenges the hospitality industry faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he doesn’t hesitate to call the most difficult time of his career. “We all needed to wear many hats and minimize our losses while adhering to public health guidelines,” he said. “I am very proud of all the hospitality heroes who stayed strong and did not give up.”

The sector is now recovering rapidly, according to Mr. Kim, which presents great career opportunities for new graduates and others looking for work in hospitality.

“We are all looking for great talent,” he said. “Ask questions, seek more information and don’t be afraid to apply for any jobs. We all start from somewhere.”