Q&A with Tyrin!
1. What does a typical day look like for you during the semester?
A typical day for me is packed, I balance school, work, and my long-term goals. I usually head to class or work at the Colorado Convention Center in the morning, where I’m part of the catering sales team with Sodexo. Being a full-time student and full-time employee, I schedule out my week carefully to stay on track. After work, I hit the gym to train and decompress that’s my reset.
2. What has your journey been like at MSU Denver?
My journey at MSU Denver has been centered around growth. I started with restaurant experience and have since moved into catering sales, landed internships, and built strong industry connections across the country. I’ve also had the opportunity to conduct research, present at symposiums, and receive recognition for my work on emotional intelligence in hospitality. These experiences helped me realize I can build a long term, fulfilling career by combining my strengths in leadership, people skills, and hospitality.
3. What are you passionate about within the hospitality industry?
I’m passionate about creating experiences that make people feel seen and valued, especially in large scale hospitality settings. Whether it’s an exclusive lounge or a high-volume event, I enjoy the behind the scenes work that makes great service possible. I’m particularly interested in how emotional intelligence, team leadership, strategic planning all come together to elevate the guest experience to be more memorable.
4. What do you hope to take away from the Sage Pacesetter opportunity?
This opportunity allows me to keep building momentum financially, academically, and professionally. It’s helping me stay focused on my goals without the added financial stress. More importantly, it’s validating to know the hard work I’m putting in is being recognized. I also look forward to connecting with others in the program and opening more doors within the hospitality industry.
5. What are your future career plans?
I’m still deciding whether to stay in Denver after graduation, but I’m drawn to fast-growing cities. Long term down the road after getting more experience, I want to start my own hospitality group with restaurants, lounges, and boutique hotels that deliver unforgettable experiences.
6. How do you plan to make a difference in your community(ies)?
I plan to make a difference by sharing what I’ve learned and creating opportunities for others to grow. Hospitality is all about service, and I see that extending beyond the guest experience into mentorship, education, and giving back. I’ve been involved with organizations that address food insecurity and student support, and I hope to continue contributing through leadership roles, volunteer work, and eventually building teams that prioritize development and growth.