MONTEGO BAY, St James — A leap of faith made over a decade ago saw a then-21-year-old Shaneca Duncan-Campbell enrolling in the Sandals Hospitality Training Programme (HTP).

Though she had no plans of working in the hospitality industry as a young girl, Duncan-Campbell told the Jamaica Observer that she could not pass up the opportunity to make a better life for herself.

After completing the six-week programme at the Sandals Dunn’s River, Duncan-Campbell was offered the position of liaison officer at the resort. She said this was the beginning of a beautiful experience as she has watched herself grow over the last 14 years from a timid young adult into the confident woman she is today.

She shared that her discipline and tenacity in carrying out her new role did not go unnoticed by a manager who admired the young Duncan-Campbell.

“My then manager saw the potential and wanted to groom me, so I started scheduling for my teammates and just making sure that the department was being run properly,” she explained.

That potential was realised as Duncan-Campbell is now the loyalty and travel manager at Sandals Montego Bay and the recent recipient of the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in her department.

“I am proud as to where my life has gone. I lead a team of trendsetters, and for the past six years we have not missed a target. I was awarded by the chairman for my leadership skills and overall just being consistent,” she noted.

She shared that she is extremely grateful for the opportunity she received from Sandals through the hospitality training programme as it had come during a time when she was unsure of her plans. Duncan-Campbell told the Sunday Observer that she had dreams of growing up to become an architect, but this did not materialise due to financial constraints.

Disappointed but not discouraged, the young woman decided to pursue a career in the hospitality industry in which she has blossomed into a leader. Duncan-Campbell was named Manager of the Year in 2017, a very proud moment, she pointed out.

“Sometimes people are scared of taking a step in a [different] direction, but I took a leap of faith. I am very much thankful for that programme. It is an excellent programme that the company does because some young people leave school without knowing what career path they want to take, so to be given that opportunity was really a blessing for me,” she said.

Duncan-Campbell continued, “This programme was what helped me to see that this is my passion. I love to talk and interact with others. I have watched myself grow because then I was shy, but with the exposure and speaking to people from different countries, that has changed.”

Duncan-Campbell told the Sunday Observer that she has proudly visited several Caribbean islands through her work with Sandals Resorts. She credits the hospitality training programme for how her life has transformed.

“I can remember walking because I had no money for fare, [and] I was praying to get the job. I can share that I have visited all the Sandals and Beaches properties. That is truly a blessing for me,” she said.

“I am very grateful for the programme and what Mr [Adam] Stewart is doing with the company because it has opened doors and opportunities for young Jamaicans who want something different,” she told the Sunday Observer.

She went on to encourage young Jamaicans to take advantage of the hospitality training programme being offered through the Sandals Corporate University.

“I would definitely encourage them to try it because it is an excellent programme which gives them a chance for a better life. They just have to know what it is that they want and would like to achieve, because Sandals believes in internal uplifting. I started as a liaison and I am now a manager,” said Duncan-Campbell.

Her next goal is to become a hotel manager, Duncan-Campbell told the Sunday Observer.