July 4, 2020
Samantha Smith
Episode 9: Creating New Chapters
For this week's conversation, I am joined by Samantha Smith. Samantha, who is originally from The Bahamas, made the decision to relocate to Canada with her son to pursue post-secondary studies. In addition to discussing the ins and outs of being a mature student abroad, we also discuss making decisions based on the season in life you are in. Whether it is returning to school, starting a new job, or embarking on a new passion project, pushing through fear and stepping out of your comfort zone into new territory can feel overwhelming, but it may just be your key to your next level of growth, happiness and success.
For this week's conversation, I am joined by Samantha Smith. Samantha, who is originally from The Bahamas, made the decision to relocate to Canada with her son to pursue post-secondary studies. In addition to discussing the ins and outs of being a mature student abroad, we also discuss making decisions based on the season in life you are in. Whether it is returning to school, starting a new job, or embarking on a new passion project, pushing through fear and stepping out of your comfort zone into new territory can feel overwhelming, but it may just be your key to your next level of growth, happiness and success.
Guest Bio
Samantha is originally from The Bahamas, but moved to Calgary three years ago to pursue post-secondary studies. This move meant that her family would be split between two countries as her partner stayed behind to support them financially. While studying, she was awarded the Calgary Hotel Association Scholarship and was chosen as the student speaker for the alumni donor reception at SAIT. Samantha and her team successfully organized Canada’s largest hospitality career expo, HOSPO, last March. She was a model for the marketing campaign for the School of Hospitality and Tourism’s Bachelor Degree program and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honour Society. Samantha was also a semi-finalist for the Calgary White Hat Award and graduated last June from SAIT’s Hospitality Management Program with Honours and the distinction of Valedictorian for 2019.
Her 10 years of industry experience spans large resort properties like Atlantis in The Bahamas and smaller Forbes-rated boutique properties like The Somerset Resort in Turks and Caicos Islands and One and Only in The Bahamas. Her previous roles include VIP Guest Liaison, Departmental Trainer, Front Office Manager and interim Operations Manager. She received several industry awards during that time as well. Samantha is now the Sales and Conference Coordinator at SAIT Residences, where she continues to provide great service for guests requiring hotel-alternative accommodations and conference facilities.
Outside of work Samantha enjoys going to the spa, kickboxing, traveling and playing the piano and steel drums. One of her future goals is to create a scholarship fund that will give less fortunate Bahamian students the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education.
Her 10 years of industry experience spans large resort properties like Atlantis in The Bahamas and smaller Forbes-rated boutique properties like The Somerset Resort in Turks and Caicos Islands and One and Only in The Bahamas. Her previous roles include VIP Guest Liaison, Departmental Trainer, Front Office Manager and interim Operations Manager. She received several industry awards during that time as well. Samantha is now the Sales and Conference Coordinator at SAIT Residences, where she continues to provide great service for guests requiring hotel-alternative accommodations and conference facilities.
Outside of work Samantha enjoys going to the spa, kickboxing, traveling and playing the piano and steel drums. One of her future goals is to create a scholarship fund that will give less fortunate Bahamian students the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education.