If you have qualifications in hospitality management, you can also consider a career in academia. Read what Chef Zamzani has to say about sharing his skills and knowledge with aspiring chefs.

My background
My major was MA in Hospitality Management. The reason for choosing this major was to diversify my area of speciality (previously I majored in Professional Chef Training from UiTM as well as Hotel-Restaurant/Institutional Management from Johnson & Wales University, USA). This postgraduate programme at TVU prepared me for world-wide success with universally required management, problem-solving and technical skills. Its career-focused curriculum positions me to be competitive for opportunities in business, industry and education.

Prior to going for my postgraduate studies at TVU, I was working for KDU College as a lecturer in the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts since 1998, upon returning from the USA.

Choosing academia
I'm really in love with this job as it provides me with a platform to share my knowledge and experience with young minds as well as gives me the rare opportunity to develop their skills and talents.

My job
It's an educational institution well-known for its Hospitality & Culinary Arts school. Apart from teaching culinary and management classes, I'm also responsible for the marketing and promotion of the school/courses we offer, press relations, publicity etc. On top of that, text book reviews, syllabus development and the like are also part of my portfolio.

The best and worst bits
The best bit about this career is the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with the students and eventually to see them receiving their diplomas or degrees. The worst part is when a really good and passionate student has to withdrawn due to financial crisis in the family and the like.

A memorable event
This is when I landed my first TV show contract with Astro Ria in 2000. My biggest achievement so far would be to host a cooking programme for the American Food Network and they loved it!

Getting the job 
I had my job interview through a telephone conversation with the Dean of the school. I was still working in New York at that time (end of 1997) and I thought that it'd be good to come home to be closer to my mother. So, I just made a few random calls to private colleges and it happened that KDU had a vacancy for a Chef Lecturer position. The HR Department asked if it was possible for me to fly home for the interview and I thought that was very silly. I mean, I had to be on the plane for almost 24 hours just for an interview? What if I didn't get the job? So, I asked if it was possible to conduct a telephone interview and they were agreeable to it. So, I was connected to the Dean and we chatted like old friends. In less than 10 minutes, I asked whether or not I got the job and she pleasantly said yes! I was jumping up and down, happily. In less than 2 weeks, I was already in KL and on the third week, I made my first step into the KDU compound. Amazing, isn't it? I couldn't believe it myself. I think the very thing that clinched the job for me was the way I spoke. I was being myself and the most important thing is being honest to yourself and to those you come in contact with. Besides that, excellent academic results are a must in order to be an academician.

My course of study
My course of study is a great contributor to my career now, without any doubt. After the completion of my MA at TVU, I was immediately offered a Senior Lecturer position upon returning and of course a substantial pay rise to go with it. It's all worth every penny of the money that I've spent (and it's a lot, believe me).

Important things to know about a career in academia
First of all, they must make sure taht they really like sharing their knowledge and experience with people. He or she must also be very diligent, eager to learn new things and disseminate it to others.

My advice
For those who are thinking of being a college lecturer, I'd strongly advise that they go out and work in the hospitality industry first for a few years in order to gain enough experience in the trade. This is extremely important!

Profile
Zamzani Abdul Wahab
Age:               36 years old
Qualifications: MA Hospitality Management, Thames Valley University (TVU), London, 2005
Job title:         Senior Lecturer
Employer:       KDU College Sdn Bhd
Location:        Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya
Has worked for 6 years