What drives me to strive for excellence isn’t just one thing — it’s a mix of where I come from, who I want to become, and the kind of difference I hope to make in the world.
Growing up in Jalandhar, Punjab, in a middle-class family, I learned early on what it means to work hard and dream big. My parents worked tirelessly to give me the best they could, and watching their dedication shaped how I approach everything in life.
Excellence, to me, isn’t about being perfect — it’s about making the most of what you have, pushing yourself to improve a little each day, and staying grounded in values like discipline, integrity, and kindness.
As an international student in the US, that motivation has only grown stronger. Moving here meant stepping out of my comfort zone — new culture, new education system, and a whole new life. But instead of being overwhelmed, I saw it as an opportunity to challenge myself and grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined before. Every obstacle I face reminds me why I came here in the first place — not just for a degree, but to gain real-world experience, broaden my horizons, and build a future I can be proud of.
My academic journey has been anything but passive. At California State University, Northridge, I’m pursuing a Bachelor’s in Tourism, Recreation, and Hospitality Management. It’s not just a subject I picked randomly — it’s something I’ve been passionate about for years. In high school, I was part of the student council’s Event Management Committee, and I still remember the joy of organizing events, from school festivals to trips. That sense of bringing people together and making experiences memorable really stuck with me.
Later, when I worked as an Assistant Tourism Manager at Wanderlust Tours in India, I saw the other side of it — business development, client engagement, and the real impact thoughtful travel experiences can have on people.
That’s when it clicked for me: I wanted to make this my career. Hospitality isn’t just about hotels and restaurants; it’s about people, emotions, and stories. And that’s what excites me every single day.
One of the things I’m really looking forward to is learning more about sustainable and ethical tourism. In today’s world, where travel is booming again post-pandemic, there’s a huge responsibility to make sure it’s done right. I want to explore how we can design tourism experiences that don’t just entertain but educate, that uplift local communities instead of exploiting them, and that respect the environment. That’s the kind of travel that changes people — and that’s the kind of work I want to be part of.
I’m also really drawn to digital innovation in hospitality. Technology has changed the way we travel — from how we book trips to how we experience them. I’ve worked with tools like CRM systems, project management platforms, and social media campaigns, and I want to dive deeper into how we can use these to create more personalized and impactful guest experiences. The idea of blending human warmth with digital efficiency fascinates me, and I believe that’s where the future of hospitality lies.
When I imagine my dream incentive travel program, it combines everything I love: adventure, culture, luxury, and learning. Picture this — a company takes its top performers on a weeklong trip to New Zealand. Mornings are filled with thrilling experiences like skydiving, bungee jumping, or rafting in Queenstown. Afternoons slow down with cultural immersion activities — visiting Māori villages, enjoying local cuisine, relaxing in natural hot springs. Evenings include team-building sessions or leadership workshops in stunning settings. It ends with a lakeside celebration dinner where stories are shared, achievements are recognized, and bonds are strengthened.
For me, that’s what incentive travel should be — not just a reward but a journey that inspires, connects, and stays with you. It’s about creating experiences that people carry with them, not just in photos but in the way they think and feel.
Choosing to major in tourism and hospitality wasn’t just about what I enjoyed — it was also about what I believed was important.
This is an industry that affects millions of lives across the globe. It promotes cultural understanding, drives economic growth, and creates memories people cherish forever. During the pandemic, the world saw just how deeply travel and hospitality are woven into the fabric of our lives. And now, as the industry rebuilds, there’s a greater need for thoughtful, compassionate, and innovative professionals who don’t just want to serve people — but want to make their experiences meaningful.
What makes this field especially important today is its potential to bridge divides. In a world that sometimes feels increasingly disconnected, travel brings people together. Hospitality makes people feel seen, heard, and valued — whether it’s a solo traveler walking into a boutique hotel, a family on their dream vacation, or a company celebrating its employees’ hard work. That emotional connection is powerful, and I want to be part of the group of people who protect and amplify that experience.
Looking ahead, I dream of starting my own event and travel company — one that focuses on personalized, culturally immersive, and sustainable experiences. I want it to be a place where clients don’t just get packages — they get journeys tailored to their values, stories, and dreams. A company where technology supports service, but heart and empathy remain at the core. That’s where I see myself making a mark — by creating spaces and experiences where people feel truly alive.
In everything I’ve done so far — whether managing storage logistics at CSUN’s Physical Plant Department, helping plan events remotely from Las Vegas, or brainstorming tourism ideas in India — I’ve tried to bring the same energy: do it with passion, aim for excellence, and never stop learning. It’s that attitude that’s taken me from my hometown in Punjab to university life in Los Angeles. And it’s that same mindset that I plan to carry forward, whether I’m organizing a small event or designing a global travel experience.
At the end of the day, striving for excellence isn’t about never making mistakes. It’s about staying curious, being open to feedback, and constantly looking for ways to grow — not just for yourself, but for the people around you. That’s what motivates me. That’s what this journey is about
Paramjot is one of six 2025-26 academic scholarship recipients, an annual award funded by SITE Foundation. You can find more details about all of this year’s recipients here. You can also help shape future industry careers by making a donation to SITE Foundation in support of scholarships and other projects expanding the power and potential of incentive travel.
