By Matthew Parker
The pandemic was particularly challenging for the travel and hospitality industries. Before I joined my team at Hyatt Hotels Corporation as a senior sales enablement manager, my department had shrunk to 25% of its previous size. Like many companies today, we are still doing more with less, and the time and resource constraints have forced us to thoughtfully prioritize our projects to ensure the greatest utility.
Fortunately, I love what I do and I believe I work with the greatest sales team in the business. In my role I am responsible for supporting our group and event sales teams at all Hyatt properties, with the end goal of maximizing sales through various initiatives, programs, training and technology.
Matthew Parker (MBA ’22) worked for American Airlines before joining Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
Having worked manufacturing and retail jobs during college, I never guessed I’d end up in the travel industry. Growing up, I knew I wanted to work in business, but I didn’t have a clear idea of what it looked like. Through lots of exploration, I realized I enjoyed event planning and project management and that I was good at it. It would be nice to say my current role was my plan all along. It wasn’t. I am in my current role all because at one point in time I was laid off, I networked, someone gave me a chance, I worked hard to gain experience, the pandemic happened, and I always tried to explore beyond my role.
In 10 years, I have worked for eight different companies. As a result, I’ve learned that finding joy in your work comes from three things – the company, the role and the coworkers. Hyatt, while a large company, feels small. I attribute this to the great culture, where experienced professionals mentor others and leaders are looking to support development opportunities.
I am where I am today because I made the most of opportunities afforded to me and I explored beyond my role at the company. Below is some advice on how to do that:
Make the most of all opportunities.
How do you know what you like if you don’t try new things? I have always been a curious person, wanting to be involved in everything. In secondary school I was involved at some point with almost every extracurricular activity from music and sports to speech and student council. Extracurriculars are a great way to learn about your interests After entering the workforce, I still found ways to be involved in things outside my role such as employee business cohorts at work, industry associations, faith groups and community organizations. All of these provide opportunities for personal growth, giving back to others and an easy way to network.
Look beyond your role and explore.
Doing a good job at work is expected, but keeping my eyes open to the big picture has allowed me to advance in my career. As an event planner at American Airlines, I would routinely shadow coworkers in other departments. Neither Network Planning nor Fleet Purchasing had anything to do with my job, but exploring beyond my role allowed me to learn about other parts of the company and positions I might like. This exploration allowed me to be a more informed employee as I worked on new projects within the scope of my role. For example, while shadowing in Fleet Planning, I might learn about a new aircraft being purchased which I could use to plan a marketing event focused on the launch. I even found my current job at Hyatt by exploring beyond my role.
Looking for ways to engage and learn outside the scope of my regular routine made me more aware of new possibilities and led to promotions. Everyone’s career ambitions are different. Finding enriching opportunities for yourself and exploring beyond your role can help you identify interests early.
Treat every day like an interview.
My career is proof you can work your regular job and gain interest from another company. When working with others either internally or externally, always keep in mind they could be your future manager. Not only does this create the potential for future opportunities, it means you are always doing your best work. Having a strong work ethic and drive is important when looking to have a dynamic career.
Make your career goals known.
So often when I mentor others, I ask them what their career goals are, and they don’t have a clear answer. This is problematic because if you haven’t thought about where you want to go, then how will you ever get there? I believe you should know your career goals and tell them to anyone who will listen, especially your leader(s). You never know – your coworker in another department may be in a meeting where they are talking about creating a new position you would be perfect for. This meeting would normally be insignificant, but it has the potential to drastically alter your career now your coworker is aware. You should also always be sure your manager is aware of your goals. One of their primary responsibilities, as a people leader, is to assist with your development. If they aren’t familiar with your aspirations, they cannot offer you special projects or other exploratory opportunities to help you reach your goals. Keeping your career plans a secret is the same as not having them at all.
Find ways to mentor and keep learning.
There are endless new things to learn. Learning allows you to go beyond job experience and take the next step with your career. Learning can be something simple, like shadowing a coworker in another department—or structured, like getting industry certifications, going to educational conferences, completing online trainings, or even pursuing another degree. Leaders never stop learning. Learning can also take the form of mentorship. As you advance in your career take time to identify younger professionals whom you can mentor and help in their career. At the same time, find someone more experienced than you and seek mentorship. While training courses and degrees offer learning on a more general level, mentor-mentee relationships also provide a forum to learn on a personal level. Together with your mentor you can address issues specific to your situation and development. Both education and mentorship are essential to continuous learning.
Matthew Parker earned his MBA from Kellstadt, with a focus on hospitality leadership, in June 2022. He has extensive experience in event planning and project management having held roles with multiple companies including American Airlines, before joining Hyatt Hotels Corporation as a senior sales enablement manager. Originally from Murray, Kentucky, Parker currently lives in Irving, Texas a suburb of Dallas. In his free time he enjoys traveling and discovering new places.
Hundreds of students enroll in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business each year, so what about Kellstadt attracts them and how is Kellstadt supporting their success? In this Q&A series, we’re inviting students as well as recent alumni to share their perspective on why they chose to study at Kellstadt and why they’re glad they did.
Next up is Double Demon Chaunyce Dixon, who holds a BA in sociology from DePaul and graduated this past June with her MBA from Kellstadt, with a concentration in marketing. Dixon is a career changer, with her eyes set on a career in sports business marketing, which she says is a niche she discovered while studying at Kellstadt.
Why did you choose Kellstadt?
Chaunyce Dixon (LAS ’13, MBA ’22) discovered her interest in sports business marketing in a course she took at Kellstadt.
After graduating as an undergrad, I went into sales, but I quickly realized that sales did not interest me. At that time I was unsure of exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew that I wanted to do something in the marketing industry. That’s when I decided to go back to DePaul for my MBA.
What sold me on Kellstadt was the quality hands-on education that I knew I would get. I wanted a hands-on learning experience; I didn’t want to just learn from a textbook and lectures. I’m happy to say that Kellstadt gave me the experience I was looking for.
What did you enjoy most about Kellstadt?
Initially I was unable to experience all that Kellstadt had to offer due to scheduling conflicts that resulted in me not being able to join organizations like I wanted to. But that all changed during lockdown because when everything went remote, it gave me the flexibility and access to join various organizations in the program virtually.
I became the events director for the Kellstadt Marketing Group (KMG) student organization and helped to plan amazing events for students. I was also the marketing assistant for the School of Hospitality Leadership’s career fair. Both of those roles gave me the chance to become more involved and build my skills in creating and executing events.
Another great experience I had was being in the MBA program with my older sister Alexandria. She and I were both completing our graduate degrees at Kellstadt at the same time and graduated together in June. It was great being able to relate to each other’s journeys. Our youngest sister, Madisyn, started her undergraduate journey at DePaul as a transfer freshman last year, so we were able to guide and support her too, which was very special.
What Kellstadt course made the biggest impression on you?
The sports sponsorships course taught by Andy Clark had the biggest impact on me by far. During that class I was introduced to the world of sports and the different facets of the sports business industry, outside of the actual game. I had the opportunity to meet leaders in the industry and have one-on-one chats with them to gain further insights.
Prior to this course I had zero interest or knowledge in sports. I based my favorite sports team on if I liked their uniform. This course changed that because I started to see sports as a business; it is more than individuals playing a game. There is so much that goes into putting on an actual game outside of the players that really caught my interest and made me want to explore more. Since taking this course I’ve learned about sports sponsorships, activations, partnerships and the different brands that have deals with certain leagues or teams.
This class opened my eyes to career possibilities I didn’t know existed. Right now I am fully pursuing a career in sports business marketing and looking for roles specifically in sponsorships, partnerships and activations. I have also been considering becoming a sports and entertainment agent and eventually opening up a sports and entertainment agency.
What would you say to someone who is considering studying at Kellstadt?
There are so many opportunities to network, explore your interests and expand your career horizons when you’re a student at Kellstadt. To be completely honest I was unsure if I wanted to return to DePaul since I already went there as an undergraduate. But the amazing admissions staff in Kellstadt helped me so much and made me aware of a Double Demon scholarship I was eligible for because I was already a DePaul alumna. I decided to go for it, and I’m glad I did.
Read the other spotlights in this series:
Randa Mahmud Ulankiewicz, a student in the Master of Science in Marketing Analysis program, shares how much Kellstadt’s faculty members have impacted her professional career.
Palak Patel, a graduate of the Master of Science in Business Analytics program, shares how she discovered her passion for global supply chain management at Kellstadt.
By Alexandria Alyse Walker
Four years ago, I embarked on a new vocation in special events fundraising to help advocate for the needs and betterment of Chicagoland communities challenged by health and economic hardships. What should have been an intimidating journey for someone with my limited experience in this field (my background is in the performing arts) ended up being one of the most profound and rewarding experiences of my life.
Being a student at DePaul’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business exposed me to incredible opportunities that allowed me to gain professional hands-on experiences relevant to my career goals. It also gave me a unique opportunity to gain valuable insight from my professors, connect with my peers, grow my leadership skills in student organizations and network with top industry leaders. It is without saying that DePaul has changed my life.
Alexandria (left) with her sister Chaunyce, who also graduated from Kellstadt in June 2022. (Photo by Nicholas Moody)
As I look back on my graduate experience, I sit here with tears in my eyes in complete gratitude for all that God has done for me and for all that I have gained academically, professionally and personally as a student at Kellstadt. Below are some gems that I have discovered in my journey that I hope will be beneficial for you:
Don’t be afraid to pivot from your original plan
During my time at Kellstadt, I discovered that my path was not linear. It is not uncommon for students to come into a program, take a class unrelated to their major and discover that they want to pursue a different area of study than the one they had originally intended. It is also not uncommon to pursue an advanced degree in a completely different field than your undergrad degree.
If you find yourself pivoting from your original goal or field of study don’t view it as a setback or failure. Every experience you encounter in life is a stepping stone towards you reaching your purpose, so embrace the journey!
Be open to taking courses outside of your program
Coming into my program I knew that I was called to pursue a career in hospitality and philanthropy, but after exploring different courses I discovered an interest in hospitality and entrepreneurship.
This opened the door for me to connect with faculty at DePaul’s Coleman Entrepreneurship Center, get involved in internship opportunities, gain leadership experience in student organizations like DePaul’s chapter for the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO), expand my network and gain skills I needed for a career in hospitality leadership and entrepreneurship.
What I love about DePaul is that it embraces students’ diverse interests and backgrounds and invests in preparing them for a more confident and successful future. And the Kellstadt program gives students the opportunity to explore courses that stimulate new interests within different departments.
You encompass so many incredible talents that will open doors for you to change the world, so do not limit your ability to be effective in other areas.
Blue Demon sisters Alexandria, Chaunyce and youngest sister Madisyn (center), who just finished her freshman year studying biology sciences at DePaul.
Take advantage of student events, organizations and networking opportunities
DePaul has so many events for students both on campus and virtually. There are many opportunities to socialize, network and engage with peers, professors and industry professionals, as well as get involved in student organizations. DeHub, Handshake, LinkedIn and other social media channels are great tools you can use to explore career and internship opportunities, and stay connected to upcoming events and school updates.
Participating in student events enhanced how I experienced my DePaul community and made me feel more connected to my professors and peers. It also helped me build my network and get involved in student organizations and committee groups, where I gained hands-on experiences pertinent to my career goals.
Lean on your professors for career support
My professors were great resources for me throughout my time at Kellstadt. They not only provided me industry knowledge, but they matched me with valuable opportunities that aligned with my career interests and goals. Having that support was instrumental in my success and my academic and professional development. Don’t underestimate the opportunities and connections that can come from cultivating relationships with your professors, and even classmates.
Stay proactive in the pursuit of your goals
Coming into my program I was adamant about gaining as much experience as I could since I was new to the field I was pursuing. This motivated me to advocate for opportunities on my own, such as internships with UNICEF Chicago, The Parkinson’s Foundation, The Little Village Chamber of Commerce, and other places that helped me gain skills integral to a career as a fundraising leader for nonprofit events.
Being a DePaul student opened doors for me. I gained insight and experience in philanthropy as a fundraising and volunteer board member with the Young Associates Board with Lurie Childrens, WGIRLS Chicago, Young Leaders Fund with the Chicago Community Trust, and the Chicago Women in Philanthropy organization.
Walk with faith
Finally, there is one word that comes to mind when I reflect on my graduate journey—and that is faith. Having a strong performing arts background, I never believed that I was capable of anything else until God showed me that He had more in store for me. I put God first in my life because He empowers me and directs my steps. Walking in my faith, I was reminded that no goal is out of reach.
Alexandria at DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus. (Photo by Nicholas Moody)
Alexandria Alyse Walker is part of the graduating class of 2022 in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. She holds a master’s degree in hospitality leadership and operational performance. Graduating with distinction, she is a proud member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society and ETA Sigma Delta International Hospitality Management honor society. Alexandria has two sisters, Chaunyce who is a 2022 DePaul MBA graduate and Madisyn who is finishing her freshman year at DePaul University. Alexandria looks forward to working with nonprofit organizations to advocate for social issues through her philanthropy work and furthering her entrepreneurship aspirations in the hospitality industry by opening a coffee house in Chicago.
Hundreds of students enroll in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business each year, so what about Kellstadt attracts them and how has Kellstadt supported their success? In this Q&A series, we’re inviting students as well as recent alumni to share their perspective on why they chose to study at Kellstadt and why they’re glad they did.
Palak Patel
Next up is alumna Palak Patel, who graduated in June 2021 with a Master of Science in Business Analytics. Patel is passionate about global supply chain management and currently works in operations management at Amazon.
Why did you choose Kellstadt?
Because I was pivoting to a new career path (my undergraduate degree is in chemical engineering), I wanted to be a part of a reputable business school with good connections and professional opportunities, especially in the heart of Chicago. Kellstadt had that to offer and more. The business analytics program at Kellstadt gave me a sense of excitement and opportunity. Business analytics to me represents the idea of a sustainable, essential and dynamic career in which numbers meet people. It was just the type of focus I was looking for.
What stands out to you when you think back on your time at Kellstadt?
The culture of community and support. DePaul and Kellstadt are full of kind and genuine people that help you feel more like a person than a number. My classmates were focused on their careers in a non-toxic, non-competitive way. Everyone that I had met and worked with was there to help each other out. I met so many people who genuinely wanted to help me grow professionally and I felt that the faculty and staff were personally invested in my career and success, all of which made me feel very supported throughout my time in the program. The bonds I formed during my grad school experience with classmates and professors continue today.
What Kellstadt resource made the biggest impact on you?
The Kellstadt Career Management Center (CMC) opened up so many opportunities, connections and experiences for me that I would never have found alone. All it took was one sincere, sit-down conversation with my advisor for me to recognize that the CMC is genuinely and personally invested in students.
The CMC introduced me to fellow students, professors, professionals and opportunities to help me figure out my career path and what I can contribute to the academic space. It connected me to the Kellstadt Business Analytics Organization (KBAO) and Supply Chain Management Society (SCMS), two student organizations that I became involved in and that helped me broaden my network, develop my confidence and inspired me to discover what I’m passionate about and what motivates me.
Through these organizations I was able to participate in student panels and discussions as well as case competitions. All of this helped me discover a career where analytics meets supply chain, and I met professors and mentors who guided me along the way. For introducing me to all of this, I’m so thankful to the people at the CMC. These opportunities gave me a lot more practical learning and business exposure beyond just the classroom.
What would you to say to someone who is considering studying at Kellstadt?
If you are looking for personalized support as you advance or change your career, a strong business community and opportunities to be a trailblazer, then Kellstadt is the place to be!
Read the other spotlight in this series:
Randa Mahmud Ulankiewicz, a student in the Master of Science in Marketing Analysis program, shares how much Kellstadt’s faculty members have impacted her professional career.
The Kellstadt alumna talks about how aligning your competencies with your interests can help jumpstart your career in the right direction
Jory Nelaimischkies (MBA ’18) on graduation day.
In this ongoing series, Kellstadt alumni share how they got to where they are today in their careers. Our next spotlight is MBA graduate Jory Nelaimischkies, who graduated in 2018. Jory’s degree focused on applied economics and business strategy and decision-making, and led her to her current role at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago as a risk management specialist.
As a risk management specialist…
I work in the Supervision and Regulation department, which supports the Fed’s mission as a major regulator of financial institutions. My work on a Business Technology Risk (BTR) team directly supports examiners in our district in better understanding risks these financial institutions take on and whether their actual/proposed controls help support the safety and soundness of their operations. I’m currently working on a project focused on enhancing a supervisory framework for business technology risk considerations.
Biggest challenge of my job…
The technical learning curve! BTR and the broader cybersecurity risk environment are constantly changing, so finding a common ground (what’s the core risk? Why should others care?) to think and talk about issues is always a challenge. We’re constantly thinking about how to explain very technically advanced concepts to other staff that might not have those advanced certifications or direct exposure.
What I like best about my job…
Every day is different and another opportunity to challenge my assumptions, ask for clarification and admit I don’t know the answer to something. That’s something I’ve learned to never take for granted in both my career and personal development. I never feel like I’m expected to know everything, and it’s empowering. I like that I can just focus on learning more when I need/want to, and I don’t have that cultural pressure of being expected to be correct 100% of the time. It’s a generally forgiving work environment that’s designed for everyone to just keep learning a little bit more every day.
How I got here…
I actually had never even considered working for the Fed before starting my courses at Kellstadt. I went back to school to help prepare me for more responsibilities as I started moving up the management ladder at my last banking job. I was more rigid in my thinking and still saw advancement as being this fixed, climb-the-ladder process. A few of my professors were actually the catalysts to me looking into what I wanted more broadly. I never thought I’d end up here, but I’m so happy (in many ways!) that I took their advice and went for it.
Things I did to help me get here…
The biggest thing I did that I found helpful was to accept that all job postings wouldn’t be a “perfect” fit. Instead, I focused on pursuing roles that I found interesting and that I met maybe 70% of the core requirements for. Think less about what you’re currently qualified for and more about what you’re positioned to be able to do in the short-term future.
For me personally, the combination of reading and doing the task myself is how I learn best, so I tried to align my competencies as much as I could to roles that I’d have a higher level of passion for. It’s easier to keep trying (and failing) if you feel personally motivated beyond a paycheck.
The Kellstadt professor who has helped me the most in my career…
This is genuinely tough to narrow down to one because I had so much help along the way. I’m grateful for Professor Rafael Tenorio for being incredible at aligning ideas to reality in my career; Professor Thomas Mondschean for motivating me to think about the global impact of decision-making (and for motivating me to apply to the Fed!); and finally, Professor Bob Kallen, who helped me recognize this sweet spot in my life that pulled all my passions together. Their influences really shaped my future after DePaul.
Advice for Kellstadt students interested in my career…
To the best of your ability, practice being okay with not knowing what comes next. Careers aren’t always linear but if you’re continuing to learn, have the work-life balance that works best for you, and have some opportunities to try something new, it might be worth it even if you don’t get promoted right away. Say “I don’t know how to do that, but I’d be willing to learn if someone could work with me!”
Also, make a point of checking in with yourself every year or so about what the biggest priorities are to you; it’ll make it much easier to ask for projects or roles that align with your goals the best.
Read the other spotlights in this series:
Cristina Jennings (MSF ’16), director in structured credit at Fitch Ratings, discusses her career in finance and how owning your professional development can help you blaze your path.
Mike Mercado (MBA ’16), senior manager of product strategy for Discover Bank, shares insights from his career journey in business strategy and the importance of following your curiosity.
Tommy Lubinski (BUS ’09, MST ’11, MBA ’15), product manager for adidas Basketball, talks about how he landed his dream job working in the sports apparel and footwear industry.
Angela Yang (MBA ’19), strategic analytics supervisor for FCB Chicago, describes how she transitioned from a career in advertising to healthcare strategy.
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