In this episode of Alumni Voices, I speak with Hatsumi Abuku, Country Manager at FutureLog in Japan. As well as, Director of Sales for FCS Solutions. From her early dreams of hotel work to leadership in hospitality tech, Hatsumi shares how internships helped her grow professionally—and personally.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Hatsumi’s internships in banquet and sales departments gave her firsthand experience that helped shape her understanding of hotel operations and career direction.
• She reflects on how those early roles pushed her to speak more, overcome her shyness, and develop the communication skills essential for her future in sales.
• A difficult experience with harassment during her internship taught her the importance of advocating for herself and helped her realize the strength of her own voice.
• She emphasizes the value of rotating through different departments during internships and wishes she had been exposed to more cross-functional learning.
• Now working in hospitality technology, she encourages Japan’s hotel industry to embrace more tech-forward approaches to reduce labor challenges and improve work-life balance.