Education/training
Hospitality manager transitions to HRMelvin John loved his time in hospitality management, but the long hours and demanding physical work took its toll. MARK TOLJAGIC |
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 [ 2006-03-22 ] |
Centennial College President Ann Buller presents graduate Melvin John with the Outstanding Alumnus Achievement Award for his fundraising work last April.
"There's a certain lifespan in the restaurant business, then you have to move on," says John, 48, who cites trouble with his knees for leaving the industry.
Hospitality was going to be his lifelong endeavour ever since he graduated from St. Mary's Academy in his native Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He studied hospitality management at a private college there, then landed a job at Pan-Am Airlines as a junior accountant.
Always looking for a good opportunity, John started a contracting business on the side, providing maintenance services to the Canadian, American and British embassies in Pakistan.
"I made sure the homes they rented for their staff were up to spec. I arranged delivery of their cars and provided anything else they needed," John recalls of his little venture. Somehow he found time to start a band with his brothers and sisters, and played in the lounge at the InterContinental Hotel there.
His family eventually emigrated one by one to Canada. John was the last to leave, ending up in Scarborough in 1988. John immediately started working as a general manager for Harvey's and then Pizza Hut, before calling it quits in 2002.
"I really loved training and coaching people, and getting them ready to work in the hospitality field," John says. "Since I had a flair for it, I felt it was time to become a professional in human resources management."
It wasn't much of a stretch for John.
"Don't forget 70% of restaurant management is human resources management," he says.
Citing his skills as an effective mediator and problem-solver in the restaurant business, John thought it would be a good fit for him. Timely, too. "HR is becoming more prominent in business models today," he says.
He enrolled in Centennial College's Human Resources Management program in 2003.
The post-diploma program is designed for college and university grads who want to do a year of intensive study in HR management as generalists, or gain expertise in a certain specialty such as recruiter or pensions and benefits administrator.
The program provides a strong focus on emerging HR trends, such as managing diversity, alternative dispute resolution and new technologies. Professors make extensive use of case studies, simulations and project-based learning.
The prospect of returning to school at the age of 46 was a little daunting.
"I was uncomfortable at first, until I noticed there were other people my age and even older in the program," John says. "The professors respect you; the courses are relevant and there's good followup."
John liked the fact graduates are eligible to earn the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation. He augmented his certificate with further studies in payroll administration through night school.
In typical fashion, John has immersed himself in work once again.
He has started M+D Associates, a project management and training consultancy with a partner, and has become an agent to Centennial College to help recruit international students.
In addition, he's also started a headhunting firm, Strategic Placement Services, which helps match organizations with the right talent in every discipline.
Astonishingly, John makes time to continue the fundraising work he began when he was toiling away in the restaurant business. Last year, he raised $10,300 for victims of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami.
Most of all, he counsels others to try a change in their career trajectory.
"College is a very good way to better yourself in life," John says. "And I recommend human resources management to anyone working as a restaurant general manager. After all, it's all about people."
For more details about Centennial's Human Resources Management program, visit: www.centennial college.ca/schoolbusiness.
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