Culture is an important factor for many Team Members when choosing to work at Hilton. With an environment of talented individuals working collaboratively to empower learning, growth, and inclusivity in the workplace, it is easy to see why Tracy Chan, Senior Associate, Campus Programs, and Sarah Vandemark, Associate, Identity & Access Management, decided to join Team Hilton in 2022. Keep reading as Tracy and Sarah reflect on all they have gained through their friendship over the years, and now, in this new chapter, as they both embark on thriving careers at Hilton.
Where It All Began
In 2018, Tracy was a student at Johnson & Wales University in the process of finding a “Little Sister” in her sorority, Delta Zeta. After getting to know one another through the organization - from shared meals over dining hall pasta to community service events like Relay For Life, Tracy and Sarah were paired together as “Big Sister” and “Little Sister”.
“I am the youngest sibling in my family, so it was super cool to have a little sister for the first time in my life,” Tracy remarks.
Sarah smiles warmly at the comment and notes how their relationship has since developed beyond the realm of college.
“Tracy is exactly what you’d want in a big sister…and having our connection sprout into a friendship not only in the adult world but in the career world as well, has been extremely special. I’ve always looked up to Tracy—she’s out here doing these huge things in the hospitality industry with such a genuine soul – it has been beautiful to see.”
Tracy’s Hilton Journey
Studying hotel management in college, Tracy gained exposure to the hospitality industry in 2019 working on-site as a Housekeeping Intern at the Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza. After this experience, Tracy knew Hilton was exactly where she wanted to be full-time.
“In 2021, I was scouring the Hilton Careers Website every single day…when I saw the posting for my current position. I was so excited because it was something I have always wanted to do so I immediately messaged the hiring manager to discuss the role. After applying, I got my offer within a few weeks!”
As Campus Programs Senior Associate, the passion and joy Tracy has for introducing students to the world of hospitality is evident through the thoughtful dedication she has poured into the 2022 Summer Corporate Intern Class program.
“My best day at Hilton was definitely the first day welcoming the 2022 summer interns. It was so surreal to see everyone in The Social—months and months of planning, hard work, and organization came to fruition that day. Sarah knew how much of a nervous wreck I was beforehand, and then the day came, and everything went smoothly.”
Sarah’s Hilton Journey
When Tracy saw that Hilton’s internship program was returning in 2021, she immediately texted Sarah knowing that her warm and infectious persona would be the perfect fit for Hilton.
“Sarah is a literal ray of sunshine. She emits this joy that I’ve never seen in anyone else before. I knew her friendly presence would be a great fit for Hilton’s culture.”
Because Tracy was so familiar with the program and people at Hilton, Sarah was able to use her as a reference during the application process.
After working as a 2021 Summer Identity & Access Management Intern, Sarah extended her internship throughout her senior year before making the decision to apply as a full-time team member.
“When I received that news, ‘Guess what? We have a full-time position for you. You’re staying on the team.’ I can’t describe the amount of excitement I had from that one single phone call!”
Leaning on Team Hilton
Tracy and Sarah have been able to draw support from each other throughout their career journeys, and they have also been able to lean into Hilton’s culture to experience mobility and professional development.
For Sarah, the most pertinent aspect of her development at Hilton is having a strong network of female leadership to turn to.
“I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Melina Scotto, Vice President Chief Information Security Officer about her experiences. Women in technology come very few and far in between, so that was something truly inspiring to me.
Hilton’s Women In Tech group has also been a great outlet for people to share their experiences and make strides towards creating a more diverse workplace. I love how progressive Hilton is in the sense of acceptance and not letting that glass ceiling get in the way of opportunity for anyone.”
For Tracy, the biggest resource that has helped her progress throughout her Hilton journey is her team.
“My team has come through for me in so many different ways. The “teamwork” part of Hilton’s core values really resonates with me because everyone on my team is so amazing, which has definitely helped me through some of my hardest days.”
Wisdom Imparted
With the evolution of Tracy and Sarah’s friendship throughout college and at Hilton, they have both grown immensely, discovering nuggets of wisdom that have allowed them to continue flourishing both personally and professionally.
If you are looking to start or grow a career at Hilton, Tracy and Sarah leave you with one final piece of wisdom:
“Reach out and form as many connections and friendships as you can. The network of people you surround yourself with will be more than willing to help you. Just be communicative about your goals and what you want to learn or gain.”
