Not every career shift means leaving something behind. Sometimes, it’s the detour that shows you exactly where you’re meant to be.
For Certified Hospitality Professional Alessandro Pasague, stepping away from the hospitality industry into retail was a leap of faith—and ultimately, a full-circle moment.
“Yes, I shifted from hospitality to retail for a time,” Pasague shared in an interview with Financial Adviser PH. “It was a significant change, but I embraced it with the same passion.”
Initially, the move made sense. New industry. New skills. New challenges. But as the months passed, the emotional disconnect became more apparent. While retail had its own rhythm and rewards, it lacked the energy and personal connection that drew Alessandro to hospitality in the first place.
“While I learned a lot from the retail world,” he said, “I realized that my heart truly belongs in hospitality.”
The pivot wasn’t without challenges. “Each industry has its own demands,” he noted. “The biggest challenge was adapting to a different pace and customer expectation.”
But that contrast gave him clarity. Experiencing another field helped him see his own strengths more clearly—his love for people-centered service, his ability to adapt in high-pressure situations, and his natural draw to the dynamic, fast-moving world of tourism and hospitality.
“I embraced it with the same passion,” Alessandro emphasized. And that passion, combined with a strong sense of purpose, was what ultimately brought him back.
Returning to hospitality wasn’t a regression—it was a homecoming. With renewed clarity, he brought back stronger leadership skills, sharper focus, and a deeper appreciation for his craft.
The takeaway? Not every pivot is permanent. And not every change is a mistake. Sometimes, stepping away from what you love is the very thing that strengthens your commitment to it.
In Alessandro’s case, leaving hospitality made him a better leader when he returned—and proved that knowing where you belong is one of the most powerful career insights you can have.
