Sandra Miletić
RIT Croatia Class of 2005
Tourism, Hospitality and Service Management
Employment:Valamar Hotels & Resorts Ltd.
Job title:Human Resources Manager for Recruitment and Training
Challenge, passion and results are inevitable ingredients for always achieving more and striving
forward. This is my professional vision from my first internship in the US, then working in several
large international companies in Croatia and participating in humanitarian and volunteer projects
across Europe. Today I enjoy more responsible roles and persevere with demanding projects
because every new concept, standard and project that we develop in Human Resources positively
influences our employees and makes their jobs more attractive.
In 2005 I started working, immediately after graduating from RIT Croatia (formerly known as ACMT),
in a leading Croatian hospitality management company, Valamar Hotels and Resorts, as an Assistant
in the Human Resources sector. That was, after all, my area of specialization during my studies while
researching practices of 'top-notch companies' in the world.
I was fortunate to start working in a Croatian company where HR is actually a strategic partner to the
Management Board; this allowed me to experience first-hand the theoretical knowledge I gained
during my studies. After one year at Valamar, I was promoted to a more responsible position --
setting standards, leading work processes and projects. At this point, I also enrolled at the University
of Zagreb, Faculty of Economics and Business where I earned my Master Degree in Management of
Financial Institutions.
I really enjoy my long-term engagement in the same company because it allows me to see and feel
the results of our 5 or 7-year strategic plans - from creating the vision and mission of the project,
to implementing it and finally, measuring tangible results that eventually lead to the desired
improvement and overall company's success. This success is very satisfying and highly motivating.
Working on budget planning, presenting ideas for new activities or being part of employee's progress
from the very first interview to his director's position are just some of the activities that make my
daily work dynamic and interesting. Last but not least, it is a great feeling working and being part
of such a team that is recognized both internally by colleagues and externally by independent HR
professionals for excellence and awarded for the best performance.