For many students, achieving recognition for their hard work and commitment marks the culmination of years of dedication.
For Setareh Soleimaninasab, a student in the Hospitality–Hotel Operations Management program at George Brown College (GBC), winning the prestigious Doug Smith Futures Award was a proud moment that affirmed the value of her unique blend of skills in both hospitality and finance.
The Doug Smith Futures Award, presented by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), recognizes students who show exceptional promise in Ontario’s tourism, hospitality, culinary, or business sectors, with a particular emphasis on leadership and financial acumen. Soleimaninasab’s achievement reflects her dedication to both the tourism industry and her passion for finance, a combination that is rare in the field of hospitality.
“It was my first official award that I won. Before I come to George Brown, I was actually working full time as a junior consultant. So, I stopped it to come back to study because it was a really big decision for me, because it kind of means that I’m restarting everything again. However, I came to, kind of make everything to combine everything together, because I feel like having that background and knowing hospitality together is going to be a nice combination, and being there and winning this award, it was kind of a confirmation that I made a right decision.”
Soleimaninasab’s journey is an impressive one.
Before joining GBC, she had already earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s in international accounting and finance. Her decision to pursue hospitality was driven by a desire to combine her financial expertise with a passion for the hospitality industry.
“So, I want to definitely go back to consulting. But now I want to go back to consulting in hospitality sectors and industries” she shared. “My business mentality and my experience not only helps, but also like this education and being in George Brown helps me to be really strong at it as well, to kind of shift industry for the consulting area that I work in.”
Her ability to leverage her financial background in hospitality settings has provided her with a distinct advantage. “So, the good thing is, I feel like, whenever we are in classes that needs a bit of math background, financial background, I always see myself being way more comfortable than many of my classmates.”
Despite her success, the journey wasn’t without challenges. Soleimaninasab described the difficulties she faced as she worked to balance her passion for finance with her studies in hospitality. “I came to George Brown College doing hospitality, I didn’t want my other knowledge to be forgotten, right? So, that’s why I’ve been working in TLC (Tutor and Learning Centre) for like two months, like two semesters, and this next semester is going to be my third, which I tutor accounting and finance. So, I feel like me still sticking to it and also doing my hospitality program and keep pushing to have them all together and make sure that I can lead in both ways” she said.
Looking ahead, Soleimaninasab has big plans for her future mixing her background in finance and hospitality to be successful in her career.
Her resilience and determination have been key to her success. She mentioned that the award is not just about a recognition, but a confirmation of the path she had chosen.
Soleimaninasab’s journey exemplifies the power of combining diverse skills to create a unique career path, and her achievements serve as an inspiration to others looking to blend their passions with their professional aspirations.
