It’s common to hear about a new scholarship being handed out to an aspiring lawyer or business student.

But for students hoping to venture into a career in hospitality, financial support can be scarce.

SKAL International Bermuda is aiming to be the exception to that rule.

This year it has given students Dawayne Fubler and Emma Sims a cash boost to help them pursue their professional goals in the tourism industry.

Mr Fubler was handed $3,000 to study hospitality operations management at Niagara College in Ontario, Canada. Ms Sims was awarded $2,000 to start a degree through Endicott College next month.

She currently works as an Event Services Manager at Elbow Beach Hotel and said the financial support was a dream come true.

“I was surprised [that I got the scholarship] and extremely grateful at the fact I was actually given the opportunity,” Ms Sims said.

“Financially, without the award, I may not have been able to pursue my programme as I wanted to. This will allow me to complete my third year of college and I will have one more year left after this to get my Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in hospitality.”

She said it was very encouraging that the SKAL International Bermuda board believed in her that much. Their support has given her the motivation she needed to push forward.

The 28-year-old explained: “It has taken me a long time to get to where I am, where I realise how important a degree in the real world is.

“At one point I was satisfied with the fact I was getting an Associates degree. But being in the industry now for some time you realise it doesn’t really mean much.

“It’s an accomplishment and you get kudos for completing a degree, however, to climb up the ladder to the level I would like to get to I needed to further my education and experience in order to get there.”

Mr Fubler was also determined to take his education to the next level, after graduating with an Associate’s Degree in Hospitality Management from Bermuda College in 2012.

A few years ago, he had been inspired to venture into hospitality after a successful internship with the Bermuda Department of Tourism in New York. His time there gave him the insight he needed to develop his career goals.

Ultimately, he plans to become a corporate executive in Bermuda’s Hospitality Industry. The Scholarship committee chose Mr Fubler after he “demonstrated a strong drive, determination and commitment to his career goals”.

If he could give any advice to young people looking to get into the hospitality industry it would be to “get to know yourself first”.

He said: “Find out what you like and don’t like and work towards building your foundation for your dreams to flourish.

“I would also encourage them to never stop learning, keep an open perspective on global issues as they significantly impact our Bermuda economy, continue to network with people that are actively involved in the betterment of our industry and surround yourself with positive, inspirational and like-minded people.

“Lastly, never lose sight of whatever it is you set out to accomplish.”

SKAL International Bermuda is a professional organisation of tourism leaders around the world, which aims to promote global tourism and friendship.

It has approximately 20,000 members from around the world — and the Bermuda Chapter is just one of 450 clubs in 85 nations.

Archer Hill, President of the Bermuda Chapter, said these scholarships were one way the organisation was able to give back to the local community.

“SKAL International Bermuda has granted scholarships in hospitality to deserving students for many years,” he said.

“Dawayne and Emma have been chosen from a number of quality applicants studying and working locally and abroad in the hospitality industry, which speaks volumes for our industry and its future. We wish them all the best and look forward to following their careers in the industry, wherever it may lead them. Congratulations to them both.”

Dr Barbara O’Shaughnessy was particularly impressed that both students were Bermuda College alumni.

She said: “It’s personally gratifying that these scholarship recipients are Bermuda College graduates who are formalising their career goals while obtaining valuable experience in the hospitality industry.”