Daneeka Brooke-Dass

“I dropped out of school at the beginning of 2015 and spent over a year just staying at home. Sitting in bed watching TV all day gets pretty depressing after a while. I knew if I wanted to get anywhere in life I had to get out there and do something. I love cooking and I’m a really social person so I decided to study hospitality at Ignite Colleges.

“Since studying at Ignite I have discovered a passion for bar service and bartending. I’ve also enjoyed our barista training, learning how to make all the different coffees, and understanding the origins behind the coffee beans. We have our own student run café at Ignite, so we gain work experience while we study. We study theory in the classroom in the mornings and then work in the café every day from 11.30am until 2.30pm. We learn how to serve customers and handle money, and we even get to do functions on campus. We get lots of work experience opportunities.

“Before starting this course the only hospitality experience I had was working for a caterer a couple of times, but that was more helping with food preparation in the kitchen. Through studying at Ignite I’ve realised that I really love front-of-house. It’s a lot of fun! I’m about to complete my Level 3 and I’ve decided to stay on at Ignite for Level 4 before looking for a good job as a bartender. Further down the track I want to do my Level 5, gain my Manager’s Certificate and get into hospitality management.

“I feel so much happier and better about myself now that I have a plan! Hospitality opens so many doors and gives you so many options. Finally I have a career path and a strong sense of direction, and I have Ignite Colleges and this course to thank for it.”