Team player, Patricia Smith has high hopes
For 28 year-old Patricia Smith, her job as a housekeeper is one in which she takes great pride. Smith is currently employed at Beaches Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios, where she works in the Housekeeping Department as a room attendant.
“Although she has only been with the team since January, her level of performance has made her one of the property’s most valued employees” said general manager, Aram Zerunian. She has won major awards such as “Most Thorough Room Attendant” and “Most Improved Team Member”.
The youthful looking Smith has very high ambitions for herself and sees no limits to her achievement. When asked what is her goal in life, she replied quite confidently, “To go above the sky.” In recognition of her work, Beaches Royal Plantation Spanish Club, Conexiones, recently selected her to be their Ambassador to the Dominica Republic for three months.
“Patricia Smith is undoubtedly the most suitable team member to represent us. She is very intelligent, always willing to learn and to assist others. She also does her work with great enthusiasm and is a committed and motivational member of the club,” said Ven Messam, President of Conexiones.
Originally from Maxfield Avenue, Kingston 13, Smith has always looked for opportunities to better herself. She migrated from Kingston, seven years ago to St Mary.
“There was no form of employment in Kingston and no one wanted to employ you when you are from a certain area. I told myself, I’m going out there to prove that it doesn’t matter where you are from and what your background is, whatever you want to become, you can do it. I was determined to elevate myself and make a difference in society.
“After moving to St Mary, I completed a course in Garment Construction and Fashion Designing at the HEART Trust NTA. Then, I worked as a security officer for two years. Previous to my present job, I worked as a pharmacy assistant. It was a very good experience knowing that you are able to help someone who is sick.
“Many people ask why I left that job to do housekeeping, but I have always wanted to become a public relations practitioner, and I know that working in the hotel industry would allow me to meet people.
“I still have my eyes set on a career in public relations, although I see nothing wrong with doing housekeeping, it is a worthy profession and I take great pride in doing my job everyday,” Smith told All Woman.
A highly religious person, Smith never leaves God out of anything she does. “I can recall when I was going for the interview for my present job, I was very nervous, I prayed to God and told him, Lord don’t leave me, let us both go for the interview.
“When I reached the hotel, all the other persons who were waiting to be interviewed had folders and attache cases in their hands. I felt so intimidated, but I did not give up. I can happily say, the Lord did not let me down, I received the job and until this day the Lord and I are still working together,” she said.
Smith is loved and admired by her team members and is constantly recognised for her outstanding work by her peers and guests alike. “She is particularly famous among the guests for the beautiful Swans she makes with bath towels on their beds,” said Marcia Wilmot, housekeeping manager.
Smith who is a real motivationalist would like to encourage all women to “believe in yourself, don’t let the pressures of life get you down. Try hard to grasp whatever you can to become who you want to be.”
