On the Job
26 Sep 2007 – Recently a Singaporean PR contacted me to say that Straits Times might be keen to do an article on me, apparently the unlikely combination of my nationality and the locality of my workplace is rather unique and even news-worthy. They sent me a bunch of questions to answer, and I thought I’d share them with you so you too have a better idea of what exactly it is I do here – No, quite contrary to popular belief, I do not spend my days lounging on the beach!
Questions for Tiffany from Recruit, Straits Times supplement, Singapore
1. Can you confirm for me your name, age and job. What is the name of the resort you work at, and how long have you been there? What do you do in this capacity?
Name: Tiffany
Age: 30
Job: Naturopath/Spa Consultant
Resort: Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa
Duration: 9 months
There are essentially two parts to my job:
As a Naturopath, I provide naturopathic, nutrition and iridology services as well as perform Reiki and Flower Essence readings. In addition, I conduct weekly nutrition workshops and I work closely with the award-winning Mandhoo Spa Restaurant, advising the team of chefs on the suitability of the food served in terms of nutritional content and control. At the moment, I’m also responsible for setting up a dispensary to enable us to dispense practitioner-range supplements and herbal remedies to guests in future.
As a Spa Consultant, I provide advice to guests who are here on packages, planning their programme with them to best achieve their goals. I also meet with regular resort guests each morning at our “Meet the Spa Consultant” session as well as at weekly Guest Cocktails to advise them on treatment options. In addition, I assist the manager in the day-to-day operations, event and product launches, supervision of line staff, conducting internal training programs and writing policies. (I must admit though that the tasks I get assigned are much more varied than that! One never knows what to expect on a day-to-day basis!)
2. How did you get into this job/field? Tell me about your education/ career path to date.
I graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Theatre Studies. During that time, my interest in the complementary health field was sparked during a visit to Perth, and I ended up writing a thesis titled “Establishing Subtle Energy within the Therapeutic Theatre.” After graduation, I got a job as a staff writer for Be. Magazine (which has ceased publication), which was Singapore’s first and only holistic magazine at that time. Being surrounded by natural health practitioners and gaining further knowledge in this field really got me hooked on all things holistic and natural.
So as a progression from there, I decided that instead of just writing about it, I wanted to get hands on experience, and thus decided to enrol in a 4 year “Advance Diploma of Naturopathy” course at Nature Care College (the leading school for complementary health studies in Sydney) in Australia. During this time, I also worked as a nutritionist with GNC.
Having completed my course, I quickly gained employment as a naturopath/health and wellness consultant at Chiva Som in Hua Hin, Thailand in 2006. After that, well, I ended up here in the stunning Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa!
3. In your opinion, what is most interesting about your job now? Do you have a special interest within the spa and wellness field?
The most interesting bit would be the amazing variety of the work I do, and learning how to juggle ten different things at a time. One minute, I’m in a planning meeting for the upcoming rebranding of the hotel to a Conrad, and the next, I’m decorating a villa in a spa-like fashion for a PR workshop. The human relations side of things really interests me as well. Here at the resort, team members are a potpourri of nationalities from all around the world, and each has a slightly different way of doing things. Learning to work with these diverse operating styles is a real challenge, but if mastered, can be very rewarding.
In terms of special interest, I’m most keen on holistic therapies. I love working with my guests to improve their health conditions. It fills me with joy when they are motivated to take charge of their health and do something good for themselves. My passion is working with herbs and the energetic field. Reiki, for instance, is such a gentle yet profound healing technique. Having gained a Meditation Facilitator’s Certificate, I’m also in the process of planning some meditation workshops.
4. Describe a typical day on the job. Any interesting anecdotes from working in such a unique environment?
There’s no real “typical” day here at the spa. I’m assigned a multitude of tasks, in between my package/naturopathic consultations.
The Spa Retreat, which encompasses the main spa on the island consisting of 9 nine treatment rooms, 21 spa villas and Mandhoo restaurant, is built entirely on stilts over the ocean. The staff at Mandhoo have a standing order that anytime they see something interesting out at sea, they are to contact me immediately in the office. Oftentimes, you might see me just dropping everything and rushing over to the restaurant. Just the other day, I managed to catch a school of about 10 dolphins playing in the sea. It was great! Giant turtles and manta rays have also been spotted before.
But being over water means you’ve got to be careful where you step. Just the other night, one of our therapists missed a step on the platform and ended up falling into the sea! Luckily though, the water isn’t deep so it’s not dangerous. Another time, a honeymoon couple were in the outdoor shower and the lady’s engagement ring accidentally fell into the sea. It was truly a miracle but one of our attendants, who snorkelled around the area actually managed to retrieve the ring in the seabed!
5. What are some of the challenges you face in your work, and how do you overcome them?
I would say the main challenge is the social aspect of 24/7 living with 500+ colleagues on 2 islands. Your colleagues are also your friends, so you need to draw a clear line between work and leisure, and not let work-related issues get in the way of amity. I’m sharing a room with Rachael who’s English, and Khalida who’s Kyrgyz (from Kyrgyzstan) which, while interesting, takes some getting used to as we don’t share the same cultures. Personally, I’ve become a lot more tolerant, and learnt not to sweat the small stuff too much.
Also, because your work environment is your home, there’s no “getting away” after work hours. I decompress by making sure I have some “me time”, where I spend time alone, either running before dawn or sitting by the sea at night. At the end of the day, I feel very lucky to be given this time in a magical place like the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa.
On a related note, I just got married in May (in Singapore) this year. My husband William is based in Virginia, US. Given the circumstances, you can imagine what a monumental effort it was trying to pull this wedding together remotely. Trying to agree with each other on preparations and then trying to get in touch with wedding vendors was a total nightmare! Somehow the mission was accomplished, but getting there was a REAL CHALLENGE!
6. What is your favourite part of what you do? The best perk? What drives you to go to work every day?
As mentioned, my favourite part is working with guests to improve their health, sharing with them information on how to enhance their wellbeing. I think that by empowering people with more knowledge, they are able to make better decisions for themselves.
For me, I love my job. I love the fact that at the spa, our main goal is basically to pamper our guests, to help them relax or feel energised and revitalised, to beautify them so they feel gorgeous. Seeing the look of contentment or newfound zest on their faces after their treatments/consultations is a real perk. I also truly enjoy the camaraderie that we share as team members. I just light up when I see my therapists and receptionists smiling and enjoying their work. I think I’m the sort of person that thrives on others’ positive energy.
7. Are there any mundane aspects?
Mundane? Are you serious? I wish that at times, my job could be a bit more humdrum and I’d seize the opportunity to catch my breath a bit more. No, seriously, my work can be described in many ways but “boring” is definitely not one of them.
8. Tell me more about what it was like, leaving home to work in a place that isn’t one of the ‘usual’ work destinations for expat Singaporeans? How has working abroad been for you, so far?
I left Singapore in 2001 with William to move to Sydney. We were both young, and I would say having to study and work to make ends meet was a really arduous process. There were many times when we were digging through coat pockets just to find enough loose change to buy food at month’s end. We’ve been through a lot of trials throughout our relationship but I’m glad to say that period has not only fortified the bond between us, but it has certainly moulded us to be the strong individuals that we are today.
I think it was this deep sense of trust that gave me the courage to venture further on my own, first to Chiva Som last year, and now to the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa. Because we had been a couple for so long, I had started to lose a sense of self-identity. I had taken these positions partly to reclaim my sense of self and my purpose in life. I do not believe in coincidence, I know that I was meant to come here, which is why whatever comes my way, I take it in stride and am grateful for the lessons I’m being taught. This is all part of a bigger journey, and I would say, on the whole, I am travelling well.
9. What has been the most memorable experience, achievement or milestone for you so far?
Since joining Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa, my biggest achievement would be the conceptualization and launch of the mini day spa in the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa guest lounge in Male, which I completed together with my colleague, Yukiko Kanai (our Japanese spa consultant). This spa was set up to introduce the Spa Retreat and the Over-Water Spa to all our guests early on in their stay, and I am pleased to say that its inception has significantly increased our guest capture rate here at the spa. As part of this project, Yukiko and I also created and implemented the “Iru Revival Ritual”, a signature welcome treatment that incorporates a body treatment and several massage techniques. This treatment has proved to be so popular that it has surpassed our Swedish massage to become the spa treatment of choice.
However, my most memorable experience would be spending time with my parents when they were here in August. It was surreal to have them here. The thing is that my parents, especially my dad, are quite typically Asian in the sense that their usual holiday destinations would involve a lot of shopping and eating in big cities like Bangkok or Hong Kong. If it wasn’t for the fact that I was working here, I could never imagine for the life of me the two of them coming to a remote destination like the Maldives. They had a fabulous time here; it was great to see them getting out of their comfort zones trying something new and surprisingly enjoying themselves. I experienced a role-reversal when I saw my parents attempting to snorkel and just having fun in the sea like two children. That memory is truly priceless.
10. What personality traits, skills or attributes best serve someone who wants to do what you do?
They definitely have to be independent and strong-minded because ironically, even though you are constantly surrounded by tons of people, the sense of isolation can also be overwhelming at times. Being patient and kind, and very adaptable definitely helps to make your life easier. Also, they have to be very open-minded for whatever might come their way. They have to have a sense of adventure to embrace the unexpected. And of course, they have to love to serve.
11. Any future plans?
Well, the plan is to join my husband in the US, so I’m hoping to get an internal transfer to a US-based Hilton or Conrad resort. I must say that Hilton is a really good company to work for; they go to lengths to provide excellent staff benefits and training programmes. If that doesn’t work out, I might continue to pursue my passion for complementary therapies, working as a full-fledged naturopath in a health resort somewhere in the States. Knowing me though, I would say nothing is certain until it has happens. Life is unpredictable, and for me the more “far-out” the location, the bigger kick I get, so you’d never know, I might just end up in Qatar or Bhutan next! My eventual dream though is to set up my own small, simple naturopathic clinic back in Singapore. Singapore’s still home, and I’m one to return to my roots when all the fun is done.
12. What do you do in your free time?
Hmm… run, I’m starting to do a lot of that. It’s part of my plan to get stronger physically, mentally and emotionally. It’s really good for de-stressing as well. I also do yoga, veg out in front of Korean drama serials (got my parents to bring me a whole lot when they visited in August), snorkel, skype with my husband and just hang out with fellow colleagues. We have our regular “coconut meetings” which is basically when we catch up on the latest gossip. Oh, and I’m about to embark on a diving course! There’s no better place to dive than in the Maldives, especially since Manta ray season is coming up.
Oh and here are the PR shots of me:
L: old uniform, R: new uniform – breathes much better, and so much more elegant, doncha think? Now I feel like a lady, whereas before… before… well, let’s just I didn’t really feel much like anything.
It’s also usually easier to imagine when you have some visuals. So remember I mention two events that I’m involved in – “GM Guest Cocktails” and “Meet the Spa Consultant”, well, it was my job to do the set-up, and here are the results…
First the GM Cocktails:
It’s actually held on the beach, a chance for the guests to mingle with the GM, and also all the departmental managers and assistant managers. Champagne and canapes are served, small talk is made. *Yawn…* Thank goodness for me, I have my spa stall to “hide” behind, speaking of which, here it is. The four stands represent the Four Elements which the Spa Retreat is based upon. It’s a chance for us to promote the different types of treatments we have by allowing the guests to have a look, feel, smell of the various products we use.
Fire – Detoxifying treatments
Earth – Pampering treatments
Air – Energising treatments
Water – Relaxing treatments
Then there’s also the “Meet the Spa Consultant” sessions to wrestle with (you can tell how much Yukiko and I enjoy doing this… NOT!):
Once again, we set up our mini spa from 10-11am at the Guest Relations desk to promote the different types of treatments we have by allowing the guests to have a look, feel, smell of the various products we use… blah blah blah. Hmm… de javu?
While I must admit I don’t particularly enjoy the social aspect of these events, I thoroughly enjoy putting it together, cause it lets me exercise that creative muscle of mine, which at times isn’t put to as much use as I’d like it to be.
Oh, and remember how I said I wished my job was more mundane at times? Haha! This week it’s taken a new turn again — unbeknownst to me, I suddenly became the resort’s unofficial Chinese GRO (guest relations officer)! Yep, for every guest that arrives on the island, they are assigned a GRO that would basically guide them all the way through their stay, showing them how to get around, where to have meals, how the room facilities work, plan their excursions, book their spa treatments, babysit, translate, mitigate, well short of washing their feet and putting them to bed, GROs are basically at the beck and call of their assigned guests until departure, where even then, they are to stand on the platform and wave until the seaplane disappears out of sight.
For four days, I had a taste of this. We had here two guests, Mr Liu and Madam Xu, from China who spoke not a single word of English! How they even made it all the way here to the resort is a miracle! The situation was so critical they could not even fill in their arrival registration card, so early one morning, I received an SOS call from Francesca, who’s French, to come rescue the day! I ended up doing their arrival briefing, booking their excursions and meals, translating menus, connecting long-distance calls, etc, etc, etc, all the way to handling their check-out and departure today. My goodness, I don’t think my phone has ever been busier!
Actually it was quite a test for me too cause even though I speak Mandarin, those of you who know me knows that my Chinese is far from perfecto. So a lot of the times, I was also struggling to find the right words to say. That night that I had to translate the Vilu dinner menu I almost died. How do you say things like “quail” or “risotto” or “blanc manger” in Mandarin anyway??? But somehow, we survived!
Haha, so here we are, a farewell photo.
I must say they are very brave though to venture out like this when they don’t speak a single word of English. Either that or they are plain reckless and crazy! ‘Cos seriously if I wasn’t around, I really don’t know how they would have managed… they must have realised this too cause over and over again they kept thanking me for all my help. In gratitude, they left me an open invitation to Harerbin, US$26 and the remainder of their sunscreen!
Hey it’s a Clinique ok… SPF 50 somemore! Buay-pai-mah… they may be old fuddy-duddies, but they sure have got some fine taste — right up my alley. In fact, on this island, this is much more valuable than the $26 cash!
So there you go folks! A taste of my job here in the Maldives. Won’t you agree it’s pre-tty assorted? There’s certainly nothing typical about it. And while there’s always bound to be ups and downs, and there are days I wonder “why the freak am I still here?”, on the whole, this job has imparted me with a multitude of skills and a bagful of experiences, not to mention countless wonderful memories. I am also hopeful that it will open up avenues for me that weren’t there before. In fact, that’s what a lot of the expats here say, this place is basically like a springboard that will bring you to places you’d only dreamt of going before. Hmm… well hopefully, keeping my fingers crossed for my next posting. In the meantime, yes, you’d find me on the beach…