On completing ROC Mondriaan’s International Hotel and Management School vocational training (MBO), students are expected to know how to open a bottle of champagne, staff a hotel reception or create a Michelin star-worthy five-course meal. But in our ever-changing world where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking over more and more practical tasks, personal development can make all the difference to your employability.

“A robot doesn’t have empathy, doesn’t do teamwork and doesn’t know how to improvise,” says study coordinator Natascha Mondriaan. She is outlining the importance of emotional intelligence over coffee in the school’s bustling bar The Queen’s Express on the Koningin Marialaan. Together with internship teacher Danielle Hyman, she developed the first “Employability Skills” learning pathway within ROC Mondriaan to address and take students’ personal development to the next level.

Social media

“We noticed students were having increasing difficulties finding an internship and staying there once they had,” Hyman explains her motivation. Mondriaan adds: “During the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw students struggling massively with the situation, but also generally in the current era of social media, where it’s hard to make genuine connections and perception prevails. The lack of resilience and resourcefulness even led to depression in some students.”

The two teachers put together a toolbox to help students unlock the best version of themselves. “It is initially aimed at getting the most out of the internship and enjoying that experience,” says Hyman. That entails creating CVs, writing good cover letters and knowing how to respond in a job interview. “On top of that, we use things such as workshops, inspiration sessions and external speakers to delve deeper into the inner person. So, who they are, where their talents lie and how that makes them valuable for the profession. This results in a wonderful ‘passport’ at the end of the journey, making students ready for the future, whatever form it takes.”

Potential

The attention to emotional intelligence is exceptional in an education system focused on knowledge and skills. “They’re highly relevant too,” Mondriaan says. “But if you want to get the greatest potential out of every student, you have to look beyond just the IQ. The development of empathy, perseverance and problem-solving is equally valuable. Think of it as a joint venture, it’s easier to learn things when you know why you need to learn them. Moreover, the beauty is that there are no limitations on the development of emotional intelligence.”

Hyman, who comes from a British background, notices that self-awareness and admitting your weaknesses are not considered strengths in the Netherlands. “The Dutch have the tendency to say, ‘act normal’. But there’s no such thing as ‘normal’ in the international context where many of our students are headed,” she analyses. “We should stop thinking in pigeonholes.”

'Safe space'

The teachers are actively involved in encouraging self-awareness. “We create a safe space where students can take an honest look at themselves, without judgments about right or wrong,” says Mondriaan. “That’s quite difficult and overwhelming at their age, so we help students see that they can inspire each other by sharing experiences and reflecting on themselves and their actions. That, in turn, makes them more resilient and resourceful.”

Hyman often cites her own example: “Coming here from England meant stepping out of my comfort zone. It made me feel vulnerable, but I also became more introspective and more observant as a result. I reassure the students by telling them they can develop skills that will enable them to navigate any crossroads they reach in life.”

The hospitality experts focused their learning pathway on the International Hotel and Management School, but also see opportunities for ROC Mondriaan’s other training courses. “Yes, we’re quite ambitious,” Mondriaan admits. “The road to self-awareness will differ for each course and each type of student, but the goal remains the same, to make them more successful in achieving their goals. This benefits not only the students themselves, but universities of applied sciences will also get better prepared entrants and companies will be able to count on more sustainable relationships with loyal staff.”

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