This month, Kostuch Media Limited's (KML) annual Top-30-Under-30 were announced that celebrates top young professionals of Canada's hospitality and foodservice industry.

This year's list of top young professionals featured four alumni from U of G's Gordon S. Lang School of Business & Economics, School of Hospitality, Food & Tourism Management. 

In this Q&A feature, Madi Homewood, HAFA Co-op '18 alum and Research and Product Development & Founder of Civil Pours and Drinks on Friday discusses how Lang/UofG helped her career launch, what she loves about the industry and why she chose to study hospitality/tourism at the U of G.

Find out more about the Top-30-Under-30 and previous winners here [1].

How has your education at the U of G helped you build your skills and experience to become a young leader in the HFTM industry?

Studying at UOG has been an absolute asset in my career. It helped me build confidence in the industry and created a support system of professors and peers who have always been in my corner...and that support extended long after graduation. The practical skills and knowledge taught at the University, paired with the faculties genuine commitment to our success proved instrumental when I started Drinks On Friday. 

It brings me tremendous joy when I navigate through my career to see my former classmates taking on admirable paths and positions in this industry. The unbreakable bond of being UofG HAFA alumni is really a treasure. 

What is it about working in the hospitality industry that you love? 

There is room for everyone and you can learn from everyone. No matter you passion, style or path you will find your group of people. You don't have to be conventional, or even feel like your job is conventional to have a rewarding and successful career. This industry is made up of wickedly resilient, and unbelievable creative and compassionate people. I am proud to see how agile, creative and downright badass people in this industry have been despite enduring some really difficult times. It's inspiring and i'm honoured to be a small part of it.  

Why did you choose to study hospitality/tourism at U of G?

I got my first job in the hospitality industry at the age of 14 as a hostess at a restaurant in my small town. Realizing how out-going I was and how much I loved the line of work it was a natural fit to study business and hospitality.

From the first moment I visited University of Guelph it felt right. Everyone was so friendly and down to earth. The campus wasn't too big or too small and there was an instant feeling of community. You'd see people give a quick high five or hug as they rushed between classes, or someone holding the door for a long line of strangers rushing into the library. I knew I wanted to be a part of it, that first day really was a true reflection of what I experienced in my time there. 

Learn more [2] about the School of Hospitality, Food & Tourism Management at the University of Guelph.