EA PROFILE
“ I think as an EA you really need to take control of your own learning and development ”
Back in February we spoke with Gemma Bennett , EA at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour Hotel , and runner up for Up and Coming EA of the Year at the 2019 Executive PA Awards . She shares her tips for a good relationship with your executive and the importance of learning and development
A year after graduating high school , Gemma Bennett was studying a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Tourism and was unsure about what her future career would be . Only 18 at the time , she had no idea what she wanted to do . But when a career advisor recommended that she explore travel and tourism , she didn ’ t realise the journey it would set her on until many years later .
“ My dad was looking through the newspaper one day and said , ‘ Oh there ’ s a hotel opened up close to home , why don ’ t you go and work there ?’ I thought , ‘ why not ?’ So , I sent them an email and managed to get my paid-industry placement with them . And that was at Q Station retreat , which is a heritage site in Manly ,” says Gemma .
“ So , I ended up starting a job there as a guest service agent on the front desk . And I worked there for six to seven years as I was still studying . So , I was working casually throughout my studies and then went to America on exchange , came back and continued working there and did a bit of work in sales and weddings as well . And then decided after I ’ d finished all my studies — I did a second degree in America — I came back and realised I didn ’ t want to work every single weekend and every single public holiday .”
Luckily for Gemma , there was a full-time role available at the Novotel in Manly , where she was made group co-ordinator in charge of looking after group bookings . Gemma worked in this role for two years before deciding to try something new .
“ I really got along with the general manager at that hotel and his EA left . The role was executive assistant and guest relations , so kind of half an EA role and half looking after the relationships of the VIPs and other loyalty members . I moved into that role still a little unsure of my career path but as soon as I got into that role , it was like a lightbulb moment and I realised this is exactly what I should be doing . I love it and I ’ m good at it and it matches my personality and skills to a T ,” says Gemma .
Gemma worked in that role for two years until the EA world was flooded with advertisements for the new Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour opening . Being the first new-build hotel in Sydney to open in 20 years , it was a big deal . A bonus for Gemma , it was a flagship of the brand and still within the AccorHotels company .
“ I ’ d seen the job posted and everyone was talking about how they ’ d only hire the best . And I just thought there ’ s no way , of all the EAs that work for the company everyone was going to go for the role , and there was no way that I ’ d get it . So , I didn ’ t bother going for it . But then it came up again a couple of months later and I thought , ‘ Oh , why not ? I ’ ll go for it .’ Then I ended up getting the role !”
But this new opportunity wasn ’ t smooth sailing . Without
50 Chief of Staff | Issue 2 2020