“I currently work as an activity worker and bartender in Holiday Club Saimaa. I work in the activities department so my tasks vary. Sometimes I have to be at the reception in spa, sometimes at the info desk or at the bowling alley and bowling bar.
At the bowling alley and bowling bar, I open the bowling lanes, check that they work properly and maintain simple things on the lanes, serve beverages to the customers, explain bowling rules and basics, and help choose proper balls and shoes. At the spa reception, I sell tickets to the spa and other activities, rent out certain products, answer customers' questions and solve their problems.
There are so many important things in customer service, so it is very difficult to identify the most important one. But I consider that it is vital to be flexible and leave all personal problems and bad moods behind. In addition, it is important to adapt easily to new situations and tasks. I enjoy the diversity and that is the reason why I like my present work.
I moved to Finland more than three years ago to study. During the third year of my studies I started to work. I first completed my practical training in alcohol sales and after that I worked part-time in a couple of bars and restaurants in Imatra, but my goal was to find steady job. So I applied for the position in Holiday Club Saimaa. I got the job after an interview and a long waiting period.
Now I am happy with what I am doing, but I would like to apply for the master’s level and study more. I value those three years I spent at the Saimaa University of Applied Sciences. I got both skills and knowledge which are useful at work and made many friends from all parts of the world. It is good to realise that you have to learn many things from the very beginning of work, but having a good educational background is very important as well.
At Saimaa UAS you get many advantages, such as studies and working abroad, new friends from all over the world, a variety of interesting elective courses, and a good background for your working life or further studies. It is a significant step in choosing a road for your professional life. If you select Saimaa UAS, I am sure that you will get a good opportunity to study different subjects and find something that interests you.”
Alena Tsyvinskaya from Belarus, activity worker and bartender in Holiday Club Saimaa
Bachelor of Hospitality Management
Saimaa University of Applied Sciences Skinnarilankatu 36, FI-53850 Lappeenranta, Finland Telephone: +358 2049 66411 Telefax: +358 2049 66505