Becky Neal, a junior at Purdue University majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM), has crafted an inspiring journey from a quiet high school student in Lafayette, Indiana, to a rising leader in the hospitality industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Initially an English major, Becky transitioned to the HTM program as her enthusiasm for hospitality grew. Her passion for the field became evident while waitressing, a job she held throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “Working as a waitress opened me up in ways I hadn\u2019t imagined,” Becky shared. “COVID was a challenging time, and losing touch with my favorite guests made me realize how important it is to connect with people. That\u2019s when I decided to follow my true passion and apply for the HTM program at Purdue.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her shift to Hospitality and Tourism Management in the College of Health and Human Sciences was just the beginning of a new chapter in Becky\u2019s college career. Encouraged by her advisor, Maggy Leitch, Becky also took on the challenge of earning a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, seeing it as the perfect avenue to bring her entrepreneurial dreams closer to reality. “Entrepreneurship has always been a distant dream of mine,” Becky said. “The ENTR certificate seemed like a practical way to make that dream more achievable.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the spring of 2024, Becky gained invaluable hands-on exposure to business operations as the Student Cafe Executive Officer (SCEO) of Saxbys. Saxbys is a full-service caf\u00e9 that serves as an experiential learning opportunity for students. This opportunity began with an email to the CEO of Saxbys, who was a guest speaker during a freshman seminar. In her email, Becky inquired if Saxbys could open a location at Purdue. Six months later, a recruiter contacted her, as the CEO had remembered her name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saxbys offers a variety of food and drink options, including sandwiches, coffee, tea, and smoothies. \u201cManaging Saxbys taught me valuable lessons about leadership and the day-to-day challenges of running a business, reinforcing the importance of practical experience,\u201d Becky remarked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Becky is the Student Vice President of Marketing at the Purdue Saxbys Caf\u00e9. She is also a Certified Recruiter for the company, where she recruits for five Saxbys locations. Back in her home department, Becky has participated in the HTM Society and served as a Team Lead for the Black Tie Dinner. She is also an ambassador for the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her advice to fellow students is to fully embrace group work, networking, and building connections, which can lead to future opportunities. For Becky, sending that one email to a guest speaker changed her life. Her journey reflects her passion, resilience, and dedication, inspiring others at Purdue to take risks, build connections, and pursue their dreams.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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