Sujan Kumar Kotha

Restaurant Brands is providing an excellent career pathway for Sujan Kumar Kotha..

The motivated 28 year old came from Hyderabad, India five years ago to study hospitality. He gained a National Diploma in Hospitality Management from New Zealand Management Academies (NZMA) and worked part-time at Pizza Hut throughout his studies. He was the first NZMA graduate to be employed full-time by the company and is now Assistant Manager of the newly opened Hobson Street Pizza Hut outlet.

Restaurant Manager Sanjay Joshi says Kotha, who also has a Bachelor of Arts Degree under his belt, has got a very bright future in the industry.

"Sujan is great. He's got a lot of potential to grow. His studies at NZMA have definitely helped him to do his job well and have given him a much better understanding of the industry and industry standards," Joshi said.

NZMA's two-year diploma course prepares students for the realities and demands of hospitality management. Students are trained in the provider's in-house realistic training environment which includes bar training areas and a fully functioning student run caf�. Assessments take place during authentic service occasions such as industry functions and formal luncheons. Graduates launch their careers with a specialized knowledge of hospitality skills and food and beverage service operations.

For Kotha, the work-study combination has proved to be a winning formula.

"I started working at Pizza Hut part-time just after I started my hospitality diploma studies," he said.

"I wanted to get a good part-time job within the industry. I applied for hotels and other fast food chains but they all rejected me because I didn't have any New Zealand experience. With Pizza Hut, which was near my home, I persevered. I went in every week and asked about work finally on the third visit they suggested I come in for a trial shift!"

During his studies Kotha worked 15 hours a week for the company as a Crew Member. Six months before the end of his NZMA course he started training to be a Shift Supervisor, a role which he took on full-time after he graduated. Since leaving NZMA he has climbed the ranks, moving from Shift Supervisor to Assistant Manager. He has also worked as an Acting Manager when managers have been on holiday or sick leave. He now has permanent residency here and has his sights set on becoming an Outlet Manager.

"In order to progress in the company you have to undergo their training programmes, complete certain modules and be assessed by Head Office and so forth. Throughout my time here I've made the most of every activity and opportunity for training."

Kotha was so impressed with his employer that he soon spread the word. Now several other diploma graduates from NZMA are working for Restaurant Brands.

"Some are business diploma graduates, but most are hospitality diploma graduates and they're all working their way up into managerial positions within the company."

Kotha believes that putting time and effort into getting the right part-time job during your hospitality studies paves the way for a successful, challenging career.

"I would suggest to all students make sure you take the time to choose the right part-time job during your studies and then stick with it. It can be hard but it's well worth it. Don't chop and change. Work part-time for the same company throughout your course and then the chances are they'll want you to go full-time once you graduate. That's what I did and that's what lots of the other successful students at NZMA have done too."

Kotha admits it's not always as easy as it sounds.

"It can be hard sometimes fitting in work and study but it's worth it. Finally you achieve the fruits of your hard work and it's a wonderful feeling. So don't give up. When you get a chance be patient, be calm and stick with it."