SERVICES
Tailored pathways for
every stage of your hospitality career.
At THRIVE Career Counseling, we empower hospitality industry professionals to unlock their full potential, advance their education, and rise into leadership roles. We provide personalized career guidance that leverages each client’s unique skills, experiences, and passions to navigate a clear path toward growth. Through tailored strategies, mentorship, and industry insight, we equip our clients to confidently climb the corporate ladder, achieve their goals, and lead with excellence in the dynamic world of hospitality.
T
Talent
Discovery
Helping individuals identify their unique strengths and passions within hospitality.
H
Hospitality Skills Development
Building essential industry competencies in service, leadership, and communication.
R
Resume & Readiness
Crafting standout application materials and preparing for interviews.
I
Industry Connections
Facilitating mentorships, networking, and internship/job placements.
V
Vision
Planning
Setting career goals and creating a strategic plan for growth and advancement.
E
Empowerment
Encouraging confidence, resilience, and professional fulfillment.
ABOUT
All about
Thrive Career Counseling
Founder,
Dr. Jessica Wickey Byrd
Jessica Wickey Byrd is a double UCF alumnus, graduating with her master’s degree in hospitality and tourism management from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management in 2013 and her doctorate in Educational Leadership, with a focus on Higher Education in 2024 from the College of Innovation and Education. Her collegiate journey has been a lifelong dream. Dr. Wickey Byrd is a first-generation college student, and the first ever in her family to earn a doctoral degree.
Dr. Wickey Byrd has 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including restaurants, resorts, events, convention centers, non-profit fundraising, and live entertainment.
Dr. Wickey Byrd leads a team of faculty, staff, and student assistants to manage all recruitment at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management – directing 3,000 undergraduate’s students’ careers goals and aspirations. Her goal is for students to find the best version of themselves, and find passion and purpose in their future careers.
As Director of the Internship Program, Dr. Wickey Byrd launched human trafficking education in the Summer of 2020, creating robust curriculum to enhance the student’s internship education. Since inception, she has collectively educated more than 5,700 students to be able to identify and report human trafficking in their workplaces within the hospitality and tourism industry.
Dr. Wickey Byrd has presented on numerous panels including Florida Attorney General Ashely Moody’s Human Trafficking Summit, Florida Department of Health with Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, UCF Police Department, Valencia College School of Public Safety, The Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute, and other anti-trafficking advocates.
Currently, Dr. Wickey Byrd is a member of the Greater Orlando Human Trafficking Task Force; she chairs the Central Florida National Academy Foundation’s Advisory Board for high schools with hospitality and tourism programs and works with WorldOrlando and the US Department of State to combat trafficking globally.
In 2024, she was announced as the Executive Director of the UCF Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery. In this role, she will advance all anti-trafficking efforts for the college. The Center aims to be the global center of excellence in gathering and disseminating information to the community at large. Education, research, and community engagement are the pillars of the center, to be a resource for all anti-trafficking activities.
Dr. Wickey Byrd is an avid sailor, completing her pilot’s license and enjoys volunteering in the community, spending time with her husband Greg.
APPROACH
Our goal is to help you find passion in your career.
From Service Excellence to Corporate Success
Your years in hospitality have already equipped you with the skills that corporate leaders crave - you just need to learn how to showcase them. At Thrive Career Counseling, we don't believe in starting over; we believe in building up.
We Start Where You Are
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Every transition begins with understanding your unique strengths. Whether you've been in restaurant, hotel teams, or guest services, we help you identify the valuable skills you've already mastered.
We Bridge the Gap
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Corporate and hospitality speak different languages, but the skills translate beautifully. We transform your "handled difficult customers" into "conflict resolution and stakeholder management." Your "managed busy shifts" becomes "optimized operations under pressure."
We Build Your Future
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Step by Step Career transitions don't happen overnight, and we don't expect them to. Through strategic planning, targeted skill development, and personalized coaching, we create a roadmap that feels manageable and achievable - not overwhelming.
We're With You Every Step of the Way
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From crafting a resume that tells your story to preparing for interviews that showcase your potential, we provide the tools, confidence, and ongoing support you need to thrive in your new career.
Because your hospitality experience isn't just background - it's your competitive advantage.
BENEFITS
Strength that speaks for itself
Maximize
Your years in hospitality aren't just work history - they're a goldmine of transferable skills. We help you recognize and articulate the leadership, problem-solving, and communication abilities you've already mastered, positioning you as a strong candidate whether you're pursuing hospitality management or corporate roles.
Clarity
Feeling stuck or unsure about your career direction? We provide personalized assessment and strategic planning to help you discover whether your passion lies in hospitality leadership or transitioning to a new field - then create a clear, actionable roadmap to get you there.
Standout
From resume writing to interview preparation, we ensure you present yourself with confidence and professionalism. You'll learn to speak the language of your target industry, showcase your unique value, and make connections that open doors to opportunities you didn't even know existed.
TESTIMONIALS
What our clients are saying
"I thought my restaurant management experience wouldn't translate to corporate, but Dr. Wickey helped me see how my skills in team leadership and crisis management were exactly what companies needed. Within 3 months, I landed a operations manager role at a tech startup!" -
Maria Rodriguez, Former Restaurant Manager → Operations Manager
"After 8 years in hotel management, I was ready to move up but wasn't sure how to position myself for executive roles. The T.H.R.I.V.E. process helped me identify my leadership style and craft a strategy that got me promoted to Regional Director." -
David Chen, Hotel Manager → Regional Director
"I loved hospitality but wanted better work-life balance. Dr. Wickey didn't just help me transition to corporate training - she helped me realize my passion for developing people could thrive in any industry. Now I'm a Learning & Development Specialist and couldn't be happier." -
Jennifer Williams, Former Event Coordinator → L&D Specialist