Ben Madilynn
Lanfranco was once in her students’ shoes, choosing business as her major when she wasn’t certain of her future career path. This shared experience allows her to connect with her students in a relatable and meaningful way.
“At some point, we all get asked that dreaded question, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ There’s a lot of pressure there, and not enough clarity,” says Lanfranco. “What I’ve learned, and reiterate to my students, is that we should be asking ourselves a two-part question, ‘What do I want to do, and where do I want to do it?'”
Lanfranco encourages her students to envision themselves in a future work environment and acknowledge what immediately comes to mind. She then guides them to consider their strengths and how their skills can be applied to specific roles within an industry or company.
“When you picture yourself at work, are you talking with people face-to-face or sitting at a computer? It’s important to think about your environment,” says Lanfranco. “A degree can be whatever a student wants it to be if they learn how to use transferable skills.”
The hospitality industry is a prime example of this for Lanfranco. With almost fifteen years of work experience in the industry, Lanfranco remains a passionate learner, earning her MBA and M.S. in hotel administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and her Doctor of Philosophy in hospitality management at the University of Central Florida, Orlando.
“A hotel can have over a dozen different departments—it’s like a city in and of itself. Typically, hospitality professionals want to explore and hold different positions within the same company,” said Lanfranco. “I ask my students, ‘What skills will allow you to be flexible and grow once you’re at the hotel? How do you develop those skills and build confidence?'”
