Shivam Dalwadi (’24, MS ’25) is an example of the incredible possibilities that can
stem from the right mindset. His path to an unparalleled level of personal fulfillment
may have begun while a student at Hilton College, but they have led him to quite a
successful career choice.
Upon meeting Dalwadi, many are immediately impressed by his energy, great vibes, kindness
and positivity. This could be called many things, but at Hilton College, his passion,
drive and character are simply known as the “hospitality spirit.” It’s the inner fabric
of those who love hospitality, and it’s at the foundation of all amazing hotel stays,
restaurant dinners or celebration events. Dalwadi began cultivating the hospitality
spirit as soon as he started his journey working in hotels. And he will never stop.
As the current room operations manager for Marriott International, he exercises this
daily.
Dalwadi developed a great professional mindset that helped him deeply connect to the
world of hospitality. His vision is to always learn, seek new opportunity and know
what’s happening. He recalls several outstanding learning experiences at Hilton College
that shaped his mindset and made him think like a leader.
For example, the projects in his strategy and innovation course challenged him to
think outside the box — an approach he now brings to all of the leadership roles
he holds.
“As a leader it's your problem to figure out if there is a problem– [and a way to
solve it],” said Dalwadi.
But relying only on innovative thinking is not enough in an industry defined by tight
margins and a fast pace, where success is impossible without strong technical knowledge.
Dalwadi praised the depth of financial projects in his graduate classes, which allowed
him to consolidate his understanding of the financial and investment landscape of
the industry.
One of the most impactful aspects of his learning journey was the industry work requirement
of the Hilton College.
“This experience matters a lot,” said Dalwadi. But it matters even more as the entire
curriculum is integrated with learning aspects that a student can only apply in practice
by working in the industry. This not only brings a competitive advantage to students
like Dalwadi but sets up the tone for a mindset grounded in hard work, continuous
learning and always seeking opportunity.
Apart from the learning at the Hilton College, Dalwadi took advantage of several outside
opportunities. For example, his involvement in Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater
Houston (HLAGH) was instrumental for him, as it opened doors to network and offered
access to mentors who helped him grow. He emphasized how important it was for him
to stay connected with this network and be a part of the growing hospitality community.
Dalwadi’smindset remains grounded in two critical values:
• First, understanding his boundaries led him to develop great time management
habits. Dalwadi was committed to excelling academically while also giving 100 percent
at work. So, he needed to make sure he understood his limits.
• Second, he dedicated time for himself. He wants to make sure he has a few hours,
or maybe a day, just for himself when he doesn't need to be at school or work. Above
all, he is dedicated to working very hard. Being very focused. The hospitality industry
requires long hours, and it is sometimes difficult to do everything.
His mindset is rooted in resilience and focus. It was this mindset that helped him
transition seamlessly into a full professional career once he graduated from Hilton
College.
“You need to know how much you can push yourself and at what point you need to stop
and take your own time,” said Dalwadi. “Every student needs to understand the importance
of the industry we’re in, because it is a demanding place. But they also need to be
able to have some fun too.”
Shivam Dalwadi (’24, MS ’25) is an example of the incredible possibilities that can stem from the right mindset. His path to an unparalleled level of personal fulfillment may have begun while a student at Hilton College, but they have led him to quite the successful career choice. “My advice to students is to ensure you’re balancing work enough to have a good number of hours and good impression at your workplace. But understand the importance of working in the industry because if you don't have the work experience once you graduate, you're expecting really good jobs, high pace and does and that does not come automatically. You really need to put in those hours.”
Altogether, this is the mindset of a successful global hospitality leader. Hilton College foresees great things ahead for Dalwadi, as he continues to pursue and fulfill his vision of a hospitality industry where hard work is balanced with personal well-being, lifelong learning and a constant drive for growth. Leaders from the College are excited to see what comes next for him, as he is one of the most cherished members of the Hilton College community.