Megumi Takata

When Megumi Takata left Japan she planned to spend a year in New Zealand improving her English... but that was before she found out about NZMA and their top quality hospitality courses.

Two and a half years later and the friendly 24 year old is about to graduate with a National Diploma in Hospitality Management from NZMA's Auckland Central Academy. What's more, she's working in one of the city's top hotels and is looking forward to an exciting, dynamic career in the hospitality industry.

"I arrived in New Zealand in 2004 and spent the first three months studying at Dynaspeak English. I was really pleased when I heard about the hospitality programmes at NZMA because I'd always been very interested in the industry," says Megumi, who is originally from Wakayama, although she spent four years living and working in Osaka.

In Japan Megumi worked for a large company with a chain of bakeries, dealing with food sanitation, quality and hygiene.

"Sometimes I also worked in other departments for the company, such as sales. This really sparked my interest in hospitality."

Initially Megumi planned to complete NZMA's three-month English for Hospitality course. This programme is specifically designed for students who are keen to get into the industry, but who have not yet attained the required level of English to enter certificate or diploma level hospitality training courses. However, Megumi passed her entry tests with flying colours and was able to move directly into the diploma programme.

NZMA's two-year NZQA -approved diploma course prepares students for the realities and demands of hospitality management. Subjects studied include rooms division management, food and beverage management, accounting, sales and marketing, human resource management and quality management.

"I've learnt a huge amount from NZMA the course has been very good. The facilities are excellent and the tutors are very supportive. They have left a big impression on me because they all have so much industry experience. I have learnt a lot from them."

Another advantage is the Auckland Central Academy Employment Advisor who helps students and graduates find full-time and part-time work in the industry in which they are studying. Like Megumi, many students work part-time in hotels and restaurants during the course.

"It's really good to work in the industry while you are studying because you are learning stuff in the classroom that you can then practise in the workplace. It's very useful.

"Soon after I started my course I got a part-time job as a Food and Beverage Attendant at the Auckland Club, which is a members-only hotel and restaurant. After several months I left there and got my job at the Stamford Plaza Auckland. I do banquet work there and work as a Food and Beverage Attendant. I love the job. I've got a lot of friends there and because it's a big hotel, there are a lot of opportunities to move up. I've also met many customers who have offered me jobs although I have never accepted them because I enjoy working at the Stamford so much!"

The Stamford Plaza Auckland has currently shutdown for four months while completing a massive multi-million dollar renovation. While closed, Megumi has returned to work at the Auckland Club. However once the five star hotel opens its doors again Megumi will return there as a full-time employee.

"I plan on staying at the Stamford for a long time. I'd like to apply to be a Team Leader there and then work my way up to Supervisor. I've learnt so much at NZMA about all the different roles within a hotel I'd eventually like to experience them in the workplace."

And if Megumi has her way, that "workplace" will always be Down Under.

"New Zealand is really good for me and if I can get permanent residency, I'd like to stay here long-term."

As is so often the case in life, what began as a one-year overseas experience has taken a completely different turn.

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