Daniel de Jesus Avendano Avila used the global slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to re-examine his career goals. Those goals brought him to Niagara College to pursue his dream of working in the wine industry.
Already passionate about the hospitality industry, he knew NC–located in the heart of one of the world’s most incredible tourism destinations–was the perfect place for him to study.
We catch up with this Mexico native to find out what attracted him to Niagara College, how it’s prepared him for what’s ahead, and what receiving the tops grades in his academic school means to him.
Daniel de Jesus Avendano Avila
Hometown: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Age: 36
Academic Achievement: Dean’s Award Winner, School of Hospitality and Tourism, Tourism Management – Business Development (93.0% average)
How do you feel about receiving the Dean’s Award, achieving the highest GPA in your program?
I feel so happy and honoured to receive this award. It’s the result of effort and perseverance over the last two years.
To what factors do you attribute your academic success?
The most important factor for my success is the education I got from my parents. My mother always pushed me to aspire for better things and to never give up despite the obstacles in life. In addition to her, my wife always finds a way to cheer me up. Even when things seem impossible to accomplish, she’s there at every step. I have been very lucky to always find people along my path that have set the example to become a better person regardless of what I plan to do. I believe it is your responsibility to always give your best to every task you decide to do, as it may inspire other people and the generations to come.
What inspires you to succeed?
Every one of us has the potential to achieve great things, so it is on us to invest our effort, work, and time to do it. Once I heard, “To be successful in life, more than the intelligence of Albert Einstein, you need the right attitude and determination to achieve success.” This phrase changed the way I saw things and leads me toward all the goals that I set for my personal growth.
What led you to study at NC and to your program, specifically?
When I was looking for the best option to improve the skills needed in the hospitality industry, I found NC as one of the best institutions. Learning more about it–and considering it is located in one of the most important touristic areas in Canada–I knew this was the right place for me.
What was your situation when you enrolled at NC in your current program?
I was living in Mexico and had a job, but the pandemic paralyzed the world for a few months. That gave me the time and opportunity to open up to new possibilities. Immigrating during these difficult times was a real challenge. All the restrictions and lockdowns imposed by different governments, along with our adaptation capability to study online, added extra obstacles.
Why are you passionate about your field of study?
I can make a difference every time I deliver a service to a customer. Not only do I see it as a challenge to exceed their expectations, but I want to connect with other people in the deepest way and make their visit an experience they will never forget. I love to travel and to learn different cultures as well. So, if it is on me to contribute to making other people have the best time of their lives, I will.
Do you have a specific career goal in mind?
I accomplished the goal of becoming a supervisor at the winery I worked at during my co-op placement. I am currently focused on learning all aspects of my positions and other positions close to my role in order to keep growing.
What does graduating mean to you personally?
Graduating fulfills a personal goal that I set almost two years ago. I think for a second about how much my life has changed since I started this journey, and it is sometimes hard to believe. But I love it completely. I find myself more educated and ready for future challenges, for living in a different country, and for working in an industry (wine) that I always dreamed to work in.
