Externado consultant is the CFO of 6 Hilton branded hotels in Argentina and Uruguay

Alejandra Riveros graduate from the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in 2016, and for the past two years she has held this important position in one of the most prestigious luxury hotel chains in the world.

During her undergraduate studies, she was an intern at the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara and at the Hilton Hotel in Cartagena. Her first work experience was in 2015, at The Artisan DC, a Marriott hotel, working as a receptionist.

Thanks to an agreement with the Universidad Externado de Colombia, she had the opportunity to participate in a call to be part of the Hilton Elevator program.

“After countless tests, interviews, assessments and filters, I was chosen in 2016 as one of the 8 finalists among thousands of applicants globally. From then on, my whole life took a 360-degree turn. I got to know about 8 countries and more than 20 hotels of the Hilton brand”.

After 5 years of experience with this important brand, Alejandra was appointed Finance Manager for 6 hotels in Argentina and Uruguay, a position she has been performing for the last two years.

Alejandra considers herself a person who loves challenges and hopes to have a future full of new knowledge, roles and contributions: “Right now I am going to Brazil to work in the finance office for all the hotels in that country. So, my ideal future is to be able to travel and contribute to as many projects as possible.”

Regarding her professional future, she says she would like to return to Colombia to contribute to its growth: “It is time to continue building change and I want to continue being part of it”. She would also like to pursue a postgraduate degree because, like her family, she is firmly convinced that the “most precious treasure is knowledge”.

The graduate remembers with affection and gratitude her time at the Universidad Externado de Colombia and each professor of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management who contributed to her academic and personal formation.

“Each teacher marked my path and guided me to be what I am now. Teachers like Edgar Villamizar, Gustavo Toro, Alexander Puentes, Mery Rubi, Edna Rozo, Carlos Trujillo, Carlos Rodríguez, Manuel Sierra, Edgar Blanco, Clara Inés Sánchez, among others that I could not name. To all of them, infinite words of gratitude, because you cannot measure, among so many students, the amount of influence they have on each one of us”.

To future graduates of the School, Alejandra recommends starting to think about their future from the first semester: “Identify the subjects you feel most comfortable with; make the most of your internships, hopefully you can do them during your vacations; always have a thirst for knowledge, never stop or settle. Finally, have several challenges, so that when you achieve them, they will be a personal gratification”.

From the Universidad Externado de Colombia, the Alumni Office and the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, we wish Alejandra much success in her professional life.