First Gen Nolan School Students Explore Careers in Miami

When Brenda Bolouvi ’27 arrived in Miami for a three-day career trek, she checked in at the Ritz-Carlton, ate a quick lunch, and then toured a 1 Hotel before having dinner at Dolce Italian. At each stop, corporate leaders shared career opportunities, glimpses into behind-the-scenes action, and contact information for follow-up questions. The next two days were just as jam-packed.

“It was all so amazing, honestly,” Bolouvi said. “We really maximized the time we had there, and the organizers put together a very diverse list of people and places to visit.”

Bolouvi was one of 14 students from the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration who joined the Professor Vance Christian First-Generation Career Exploration Trek in Miami July 31-August 2. The trek, named in memory of a 23-year faculty member who was the first to hold the title Villa Banfi Professor of Wine Education in 1978, was the third of five fully funded treks offered to first-generation freshmen and sophomores through a donation from Ted Teng ’79, who was himself a first-generation student.

“Every career trek is intended to open students’ eyes to the opportunities available to them and provide concrete networking and learning experiences with alumni,” said Jackie Doyle, managing director of career management and employer relations at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.

Doyle’s office organizes several treks each year in different cities, and prior to each trip, the career management staff offers resume reviews, networking tips, and advice on appropriate attire. While some treks are intended for first-generation students, others are open to any undergraduate in the Nolan School and the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management.

On Nolan School treks like the recent Miami trip, students meet with top executives and recruiters at real estate development corporations, investment and finance firms, hotel brand management companies, boutique hospitality groups and more—reinforcing the broad scope of career opportunities in hospitality and related industries.

“Career treks are all about exposure and exploration,” said Doyle. “Students learn theory in the classroom, but then they need to see how it’s being put into practical use, and the treks help tie everything together for them—and alumni in these industries want to tap into our students’ talent.”

For first-generation students—those who are among the first generation in their family to attend college—the treks help establish professional networks that can open doors to mentorship and career opportunities in a highly competitive field.

“I was the first in my family to apply to college,” said Bolouvi, who serves on the Nolan School’s  Student Advisory Board. “I was confused. I didn’t know anything about Cornell. But I took a chance, and the people at Cornell took a chance on me.”

In Miami, Bolouvi and the other students took a virtual-reality tour of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship’s blueprint before boarding a real one for a behind-the-scenes look at how the industry is rebounding from the pandemic. She learned about condominium hotels and found that listening to alumni talk to each other gave her insight about the types of questions she should ask at future networking opportunities.

As a major in hotel administration and hospitality management with minors in real estate and inequality studies, she plans to pursue a career in commercial real estate and said she’ll apply to internships and jobs at the companies she visited.

“The people we met were so willing to chat with us in small groups and connect with us on LinkedIn,” Bolouvi said. “This is what everyone at the Nolan School talks about: ‘It’s the network that’s going to get you where you want to be.’ And this first-gen trek has singlehandedly given me that network.”