No. 1
About Me
My name is Catherine Mary Wessell but everyone who knows me well calls me Kate…
As the fourth child in my family I grew up surrounded by a variety of personalities. For many years I struggled to follow in the footsteps of my siblings. I tried to mimic their actions, their outfits and their successes. It was not until later in life that I finally discovered I do not have to be exactly like them. Instead I found that I am happiest learning from my family and channeling their influences to form my own unique personality. When I was younger I was extremely shy and I am certain that those around me did not think that one day I would become a leader. I, myself did not think I was fit to be a leader either. I had always categorized myself as a follower, It seemed safer and easier. I had liked the bubble I had created for myself. When I came to San Diego State as a freshman I was alone for the first time and it was very scary. I felt weak and wanted more than anything to go by to my hometown of Napa Valley where things were routine and my surroundings were familiar. I think I cried for weeks. My little bubble I had created for myself was no longer working for me and I had to learn to step outside it. However, outside my bubble things really did fall into place…I found my current boyfriend (now of 2 years), I met friends to last a lifetime, I found a major that I loved/love, I found a sorority where I feel at home, I built a network of industry professionals, a passed all my classes and am graduating with Magna Cum Laude distinction, and the confidence I have in my leadership abilities is at an all time high. San Diego State forced out of my comfort and so did the Hospitality and Tourism Management department. They helped me to discover my strengths and see that leaders do not have a set mold. “I was forced” to talk to new people, try new things, and reach for new heights but I am really happy I did.They showed me I had a lot to offer the world both professionally and personally. I am grateful I preserved through my freshman year and allowed for my life to settle into place. I am proud to announce…I will be graduating from San Diego State University this May [2019] with my bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Meetings and Events. After college I will be taking another large leap out of my comfort zone and will be moving to Carmel-by-the-Sea, California to begin work at Wedgewood Weddings. I accepted a position as their newest CCSA (Captain-Coordinator-Sales-Associate) and I am eager for the adventures that lie ahead! |
No. 2
Summary of Highlights
My portfolio is all about how I became the leader I am today by taking steps outside my comfort zone. There were many factors that led me to my grand leadership transition which include…
My Leadership Coursework: The Hospitality program at San Diego State is extremely rigorous it combines business courses and hospitality course to create one super major. And with this program comes lots of written work and of course group projects. In my group projects across these fours years I have worked with a variety of personalities. And in lots of group settings I had to step up take on leadership roles. One of my most notable projects to date is my HTM490 group. Click on the “Leadership course work” tab to hear more… My Work Experience: As HTM students we are placed at a much higher standard than most. In our 398, 498 courses we are tasked with finding a hospitality related job/internship. My HTM398 experience was very new for me as it was in a hotel. Management at the time was transitioning and the situation forced me to step up and be a leader to my fellow co-workers. Click the “Work Experience" tab to hear more… My Industry Connection: Entering college the thought of building my professional network was extremely daunting and being more introverted the idea seemed highly uncomfortable to me. However, my network has grown exponentially since my days in HTM201. Click the “Industry Connection” tab to view some of my favorite connections… My Leading In Action: In my sorority my big sis, Alice, literally forced me to apply for a leadership position. Not only did the experience boost my resume, it boosted my confidence and my relationships with my fellow chapter members. Click the “Leading in Action” tab to hear about my leadership role in Delta Gamma… My Promising Pitfalls: In June of 2018 I packed my bags and headed on a 12 hr flight to Barcelona, Spain. Two weeks in a foreign country, racked with anxiety threw me out of my comfort zone and gifted me a few things in return. Click the “Promising Pitfalls” tab to read more about my travels… & More: The road to revealing my true potential had me cross paths of some very different people. These professionals and professors inspired me and instilled confidence within me. Click the “More” tab to find out who… |
My Leadership Journey
The Hospitality and Tourism management department at San Diego State University is dedicated to growing future leaders. Our classroom environments are conducive to engaging people and getting them out of their inner bubbles. Our professors are dedicated to helping students to develop their self savvy, business savvy and people savvy skills. The work experience and professional connections students are asked to complete push us out into the professional world early and but also help us to adapt quickly to new environments. Additionally, students are pushed to pursue leadership in the classroom and the work place, and additional opportunities in other aspects of our lives such as HTM clubs or extracurricular activities. Students of the department are even tasked with going to a foreign country before finishing the program. The HTM department teaches that in order for students to see their own leadership potential they must step outside their comfort zones.
From the first moment I walked into the HTM office I felt nervous, there were so many people buzzing around that I had never seen before. I remember I was meeting with Professor Sandra Ponting, my HTM201 teacher, at the time. I distinctly remember Sandra asking me if I had ever been on the HTM couches before and I hesitantly said I had not. In that instance, Sandra marched me over to the couch and I sat down amongst some extremely chatty senior level students. I was extremely overwhelmed and I admittedly faked a class conflict to get out of the uncomfortable situation. However, as time went on I was again asked to sit down on the couches time and time again. Each time I sat down the experience got a little more familiar and a little easier. That experience however, was my first glimpse at the out of the box situations I would have to insert my shy self into. As the years went on I had classes that tasked us with in class presentations, leadership shadows, group projects, and active class participation. And after four years, I can now say I am conditioned to see these situations as nothing out of the ordinary. Presently, I do occasionally sit on the HTM couches and now I get to be the confident senior student talking to the timid freshmen. Hospitality courses have made me more outgoing and have helped me to see that I am actually a wonderful communicator. If I had not gotten “uncomfortable in my classes” I would never have seen myself having the capacity to lead and help others. While getting my degree we were also asked to fulfill two internships. Not only did I have to experience working in my first hotel, in my 498 internship I had to juggle work and full-time school as well. These experiences helped me to see that I am much more cable of being a leader, as I can handle multiple priorities at once. These experiences also grew my competency of time-management which had always been a struggle for me. If I had not been a hospitality major I do not believe I would have pushed myself on my own to do such important things. These work experiences and industry connections showed me that if student put the time in they can learn to be a talented networker and in turn a connected and well-rounded leader. In order to further develop my leadership skills I went outside my usual bubble and applied to become the director of special events for my sorority, Delta Gamma. Taking on my sorority leadership role, my work commitment, and school I was doing more than I had ever thought I was capable of. Every day was tricky but I could tell my strength as a person and as a leader was improving. The Hospitality and Tourism management department believe in their students and knows they are capable of more than just classes. My hospitality professors could see my leadership potential even when I could not and for that I am extremely grateful. Going abroad for a whole semester seemed a little tricky for me in particular as I do have anxiety especially when it comes to traveling. However, I was able to find a two week program in Barcelona, Spain. In that time the hospitality program seemed to be pushing me to my absolute limit and I was not sure if I was up for the challenge. But from the experience I began my journey to learning how to manage anxiety and stress. I acted as a true leader in the midst of a difficult experience for me. I took control of my anxiety and made the best out of the trip and even made some new friends. I never saw myself as a strong enough to master such a feat but with the help of the hospitality program I was able to find strength within myself. This programs skilled leaders have again shown me the silver linings which can be found in an uncomfortable setting. The Hospitality and Tourism Management has been far from easy rather it has been a long journey, but I successful one. This department showed me that leaders come in all forms and everyone has the potential to become a leader if they push themselves hard enough. Working hard in classes, jobs, and within outside activities has changed me for the better. I am now able to look back at the work I have done and be thankful for the hard assignments because they helped me develop into the leader that always lived inside of me. If any younger students ever get a chance to read this I encourage them to embrace the spirit of the Hospitality and Tourism Management lifestyle. And get outside the bubble because what is outside, I can promise is worth the risk. My teachers and program were able to transition me from a scared freshman to a tentative sophomore to an optimistic junior and now into a thriving and confident senior student. |