"My role is Meetings and Events Senior Assistant Manager.

I work in the conference and events department, running and catering for large and small events. These events consist of weddings, parties, meetings and conferences. As an Assistant Manager I have a wide range of responsibilities, but my main focus is to help support my manager and our team."

"My first role in hospitality was my first job. I was 17, and I worked as a waitress at Chilworth Manor Hotel. I worked in the hotel restaurant, and occasionally worked in different aspects of the hotel such as events and bar work. Although this was a small role, it helped build my confidence at such a young age which has helped me get where I am today."

"I have worked at Harbour Hotel Southampton since August 2022. Nearly three years!"

"I joined Harbour Hotel Southampton as a team member in the meetings and events department and I was quickly promoted to supervisor and began my level two apprenticeship. I have now been promoted to Senior Assistant Manager, and have begun my level four apprenticeship. While I progressed, I received support and guidance from my managers. Harbour Hotels has given me so many amazing opportunities, allowing me to progress so far in such little time."

"One of my most favourite parts is that every day is different. I get to meet a wide variety of guests from healthcare, to corporate, to personal events."

"There have been many highlights whilst working at Harbour Hotels,  and working with my team is always a highlight, especially during busier periods.

Another highlight is when I was recognised and nominated in the Southampton Hotelier Awards. I was very grateful that I was recognised and put forward."

"My manager inspires me a lot. She has not only been a mentor, but she's also become one of my closest friends. She inspires me with her work ethic and how great she is with customers. I admire how organised, calm, and how great with our team she is. Since working in our department, she has given me so much more confidence and independence to run events by myself. She is everything that I aspire to be in this industry!"

"The biggest challenge in my career is my age. I am only 20, and I'm an assistant manager.

Sometimes, I doubt myself and think that I'm not as far ahead as others or that I should be doing more in my role. Sometimes, customers doubt my experience as I seem quite young to be hosting and running their events.

This can sometimes cause them to be more anxious or look to other members of the team. Although this can be challenging, I have to keep persevering."

My future career aspirations are to climb the ladder and progress within the Harbour Hotel Group. Meetings and Events is such a vast department, which I didn't realise until I researched the role. I found out that companies and brands such as Dior look for my role to host their catwalks, and famed parties like The Oscars are run by people in similar roles as me! The sky is the limit!"

"The advice for women aspiring to be in this role is to believe in yourself! There will be obstacles and issues that arise along the way, but as long as you believe in yourself you can get through any of them. If you surround yourself with likeminded people and a team that support you, it makes it ten times easier to do so.

"In our department, every day is different. So, having a positive outlook on things comes in handy. Events sometimes go wrong or a mistake is made, so having a positive outlook on things can make a world of difference not only to you, but to your team. "

"I think we all need to work towards providing a positive, empowering and supportive environment for everyone. We should also look at different strategies to make women feel comfortable in this industry."