Kellisha Edwards is a young Bermudian holding a key role in the Island’s most recently-opened hotel.Hired at age 22 as front desk manager for the Newstead Belmont Hills, she’s also an example of what Bermuda Hospitality Institute chief executive officer Karla Lacey calls “a college-age young Bermudian who is on the management fast track in the hospitality industry”.The Institute hopes her precedent will inspire more young Bermudians to the hotel business, once the mainstay of the Island’s economy.Ms Edwards, now 24, said: “It’s important for young Bermudians to know that there are opportunities for them in hospitality. Sometimes it’s misconstrued as boring, or an industry where there isn’t room to move up, but that’s not true. Every day there’s something new.“I’m just grateful and appreciative that Newstead allowed me to prove myself as a young manager. Bermudians of my age in this career will help mould the future of our hospitality industry.”She said she started out in the business seven years ago while a student at Berkeley Institute.“I got work at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess through Berkeley’s work release programme, which piqued my interest, and I was able to start working full time at the front desk of the Fairmont in 2004. Members of my family like my grandmother and aunts have worked in different hotel departments over 35 years.”Describing herself as “a people person” Ms Edwards was drawn to the work because of the chance to interact with so many different people: “It’s a very rewarding career in which you truly have to enjoy what you do.”Working variously as a switchboard operator, bartender and Fairmont President’s Club Agent over four years at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Ms Edwards made it her mission to acquire as much on-the-job experience as possible.The Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort and Spa opened for business in April 2008.A year later, Ms Edwards was interviewed for a supervisory position. To her surprise, she was made a manager instead.Newstead general manager Bushara Bushara explained: “When we began hiring, we wanted to get young persons, particularly Bermudians with some proven experience. Kellisha impressed us with her work ethic and her references.“We found her articulate, ambitious, focused and composed, which is why we proceeded a bit earlier with her and with her immediate supervisor, Camilla Bean, who is also very young by the standards of this industry.”Ms Edwards’ current responsibilities include overseeing the front desk and bellman, drawing up the staff schedules, payroll and covering shifts.She said: “Right now the Newstead Belmont is still mentoring me, so I’m keeping myself open and learning. I’m hoping to take a management course at Bermuda College this summer. Up until now I’ve just been learning through working.”She was nominated last month for the Bermuda Hospitality Institute’s “young and ambitious” panel at its first ever hospitality careers fair.For young Bermudians looking for a job in the hospitality business, Ms Edwards advises: “If your school has a work release programme, that’s a good way to get started. Otherwise, just find the hotel or the department that you’re interested in and go put yourself forward for summer work.“It’s important to keep learning and be open. I was able to get my experience in different departments, and look where I am now.”Young Bermudians interested in summer hotel work should contact the Bermuda Hospitality Institute at 295 5059 to learn more.