Successfully Mentoring Three Young People By Norman Fernandez

By Norman Fernandez

Some years ago, I was a part-time Law lecturer in a local college lecturing Hospitality Law for a Hotel & Management Diploma program. 

Among my students were three Indian boys who used to attend classes dressed imitating the Beastie Boys or as they were from Harlem - wearing imitation blings, Mike Tyson hairstyles, and walking with a chicken shuffle. They spoke Tamil and Bahasa Malaysia with a  repossessors lingo, when the course itself was in English.

One day, during break I told them that from my observation of them thus far, after completing their course they may be be hard pressed to get a job in the hospitality industry and even if they do, there is a possibility that they may get dead-end jobs like Doorman, Concierge or even Steward. I told them that I was certain those were not the jobs they were dreaming off after completing their three year Diploma.

After class, maybe feeling upset they approached me and wanted to have a chat. Having listened to them, I told them  before I responded to their questions,  they had to go and visit a few well known five star hotels and observe the appearance of those working there and also keep a look out where the Indians were working. 

The following week, they came back with their observations and noted how well groomed were those who were working at the hotels and they also noted many Indians did work in the Concierge Department and some as Waiters.

I told them that the world does not owe them a living. The hospitality industry more than other industry greatly emphasises personal appearance, grooming and even good pleasant manners - they do not need any Beastie Boys types.  

Add to that, being an Indian there is always the real possibility of being scrutinised. They need to face up to reality, ahead of time.

One of them then asked me what should they  do.  I told them that the first thing they should do is to get rid of their menacing hair-cuts, be well groomed, wear smart clothes that make them look good. 

Add to that, they should speak English among themselves and maybe go for English classes and perhaps take an additional language class. I emphasised that I as an Indian was simply giving them advice which I think will do them good in the future and told them that they have no obligations to listen to my advice.

They must have thought about my advice or had a good talk between themselves because in the weeks that followed, I noticed that they began spotting a neat hairstyle, becoming better groomed and even speaking English. Later on, I found out that they were taking English classes and all three of them were also attending Chinese classes.

As time went by, they began to do even better in their studies and between them they spoke in English - at least while in my class. At the end of the term, they gave me a Beastie Boys T-Shirt and thanked me for my little advice. By then, they were looking like they could easily get jobs - at least as Flight Stewards !

Some years passed - until recently one of them bumped into me in the shopping centre.  Recognising me and after exchanging pleasantries and small talk, it was nice to know that he is now a Food & Beverage Manager at a leading five star hotel in Singapore, another is working in Dubai and the third boy  is working on a Cruise Ship. (None of them are working as Doorman, Concierge or Steward) !  

They all have done well and will progress further.

So to Shan-Shock, Cool-Mani and Goldman-Guna, Yo ! Bro ! Peace... Well done....