When Katarina Drosnes moved more than 6,000 miles to North Carolina from Kyrgyzstan with her family in 2019, she was hopeful she could find a fulfilling career in a new country.

She'd always enjoyed working with people and creating positive experiences, so when she learned about Wake Tech's non-degree Hospitality, Hotel and Restaurant certification course, she was eager to enroll.

"I was looking for a program that could quickly help me build a foundation, and Wake Tech's hospitality certification was exactly what I needed," she said. "I was eager to start working, but I didn't have the local experience or education that most employers were looking for. This course gave me that fast track and really helped me feel like I belonged here."

In less than three months, Drosnes learned the front and back end of hotel and restaurant operations and became a certified front desk representative by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. She landed an internship at The StateView, an upscale hotel on the shore of Lake Raleigh.

Her stellar performance at the hotel led to a full-time job as a guest services assistant, but a year later, she was laid off during the pandemic. Determined to keep growing, she decided to make the most of the unexpected downtime and expand her hospitality training as a student in Wake Tech's Hospitality Management Associate in Applied Science degree.

After earning her degree in 2022, she was rehired at The StateView as a front desk clerk, and in just three months, she became a supervisor. A year after that, she advanced to a catering and sales coordinator.

Drosnes said the people are the best part of her job.

"I love the people – both the guests and my team," she said. "Every day is different, and there's always a chance to create a positive experience for someone."

Drosnes said Wake Tech was a lifeline at a time when she needed it most.

"Wake Tech completely changed the course of my life," she said. "It gave me the tools and confidence to start a career in a new country, something that felt overwhelming at first.

"The program opened new doors I never imagined into an industry I'm passionate about. More than anything, Wake Tech helped me believe that I could succeed and create a good life for my family," she added.

Drosnes said her journey to build her hospitality career after moving to a new country wasn't easy, and she hopes others are inspired by her dedication and resilience. She also became a U.S. citizen in 2024.

"I've come a long way," she said. "I'm proud of what I've built so far, and I hope my story encourages others to keep going, even when it feels hard. It really is possible to build something great from a fresh start."

Drosnes is not sure of her next career move, but she plans to keep growing and seeking new leadership opportunities in the hospitality industry.

"I really enjoy the strategy and relationship-building side of hotel sales, and, at the same time, I'm open to getting involved in hospitality brand, training and development. I want to stay challenged and keep building a career I'm proud of."