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A Dream Come True: My Global Career at Hilton

Danilo Iavernaro

26 April 2024

Europe, Middle East, AfricaCareer path spotlightsTeam Member stories

What makes Hilton the #1 World’s Best Workplace? For Danilo, Assistant Manager on our Food & Beverage team, it is an unlimited opportunity to build your dream career and develop your skills while traveling the world.

Hired as an intern at  Hilton Molino Stucky Venice in 2017, Danilo’s hospitality journey has seen him master challenges and seize opportunities from the vibrant streets of London to the dynamic landscape of Dubai. His career embodies the transformative power of embracing every opportunity. In this exciting guest blog, Danilo shares the experiences that have shaped his remarkable global career and the insights he has gained along the way.

Starting a New Chapter

My journey with Hilton began in December 2017. I was fresh out of school with my Hospitality master’s degree and eager to delve into the world of Food & Beverage. The prospect of starting this adventure in one of the world’s best hospitality companies (and the iconic Hilton Molino Stucky Venice!) seemed like an incredible opportunity. Young and inexperienced, I found myself navigating through unfamiliar terrain. With continued support from my managers and other Team Members, I constantly developed and took every moment as a lesson on this exciting career path.

Working at Hilton Molino Stucky Venice brought new learning opportunities but also challenges. I quickly realized that I needed to improve my English language skills. Thanks to Hilton’s global network of hotels and dedication to helping Team Members advance their careers and skills, I found an opportunity to move to  London Hilton on Park Lane in the UK. 

While in London, I embarked on an impactful journey of language learning and career advancement. My managers recognized my potential, gave me tools to develop my skills, and supported my growth. With their encouragement, I won the Best Tasting Afternoon Tea award in the UK.

Turning the Page

The global network of Hilton properties also gives countless opportunities to visit some of the most beautiful locations on holiday. So, I made the most of Go Hilton, our Team Member travel program, and flew to Dubai for my holiday. What began as an excellent destination for my well-deserved vacation quickly became a bucket-list career goal as I became fascinated by this city’s bustling hospitality scene and numerous career & learning opportunities.

Thus, in February 2020, I found myself at  Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, eager to infuse Italian tradition into an Arab setting as the Assistant Restaurant Manager. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic dashed my dreams temporarily, leaving me feeling isolated in a foreign land.

After months of uncertainty and adapting to life in Dubai, I took a significant step in my career – I accepted a job as the Restaurant Manager for Social by Heinz Beck at  Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah. Working alongside the three-Michelin-starred chef, this experience was both personally and professionally transformative.

Returning to Where It All Began

As a person constantly hungry for more opportunities to grow and test my skills, I could not ignore a new opportunity at Hilton Molino Stucky Venice! The emotion of returning to where this dream-like career journey started and the excitement of such an essential role with endless learning opportunities were overwhelming. Despite the allure of the sunny beach in Dubai, my heart resounded with certainty: it was time to return! 

Walking through those familiar corridors today, I am reminded of the young, stumbling individual I once was. I will be forever grateful that my determination and willingness to learn and develop have been met with so many opportunities, great managers, colleagues who became friends, and support through Hilton. These experiences have impacted my personal and professional life and helped shape the person I am today. Even more, I am grateful and excited for all my journey with Hilton still holds for my career and future.

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