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Expanding student success at the Hyatt
Hyatt Regency Saipan would like to congratulate one of its own, Karen Buniag, for her academic and professional achievements. Buniag is a wait staff member at Miyako, the hotel’s Japanese restaurant.
Buniag provided closing remarks for the Marianas Tourism Educational Council summit on Thursday, Jan. 25. The summit was held to further support the Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically Clubs in promoting tourism.
Karen Buniag is a wait staff member at Miyako, Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Japanese restaurant. (Contributed Photo)
Prior to her graduation from Marianas High School in June 2014, Buniag learned about the Student Cooperative Education Learning Program, in which students would enroll in a work-study program at sponsoring organizations, exposing them to “the real world of professional work.”
Buniag’s initial placement was in the Human Resources Department at Hyatt Saipan. For her three-month term, Buniag learned much about teamwork, cooperation and contribution “and how each employee plays an important role in a big organization.”
From that point on Buniag was motivated to look into a career in hospitality. She enrolled in the American Hotel & Lodging Program at Latte Training Academy.
“As a kid, I would tag along my father’s side as he made deliveries to hotels—he worked as a hotel supplier. That was my first exposure to the hospitality industry and everyone was so pleasant and friendly. I knew I wanted to come back one day,” said Buniag.
A business member for 37 years, Hyatt Regency Saipan continually contributes to the development of the CNMI. Partnering with the Northern Marianas Trades Institute, the organizations worked together in developing NMTI’s Hotel Hospitality and Restaurant Program under AHLEI.
“As community members it is our social responsibility to care for our people and nourish our youth so they become assertive, young professionals who will exceed our accomplishments which keeps the island thriving,” said Josephine Mesta, director of Human Resources at Hyatt Saipan.
Buniag is an online student with Phoenix University, working toward her undergraduate degree in accounting as well as a minor in business administration. She looks forward to professionally growing with Hyatt Saipan and exploring other areas of the hotel to further her career in hospitality. (Hyatt)
