Hospitality Choosing a Career in the Hospitality Industry S
o, it is time to decide what you will do with your life. What will you choose?
Perhaps you might consider a career in the hospitality industry. What is the hos- pitality industry? The hospitality industry is defined as the activity of providing lodging, food and beverage, and recrea- tional services, which include but are not limited to hotels, motels, clubs, casinos, restaurants, recreation facilities, tourism, cruise lines, and theme parks. Wow, what a variety of options! A multi-billion dollar industry, hospitality is our country’s third largest industry employing nearly 9.5 mil- lion people nationally. Your options are great, but what does this mean to you? Check this out: the history of the hos-
pitality industry dates all the way back to the Colonial Period when, in 1794, the first City Hotel opened in New York City. Things have changed quite a bit since then; the hospitality industry has experienced significant development over the years as it has faced World Wars, The Depression, and various social changes. The industry as we know it today began to take form in the early 1950s and 60s, leading the way for growth into the dynamic industry we know today. Career options in the hospita- lity industry have continued to grow along with the industry. What career options are offered in
the hospitality industry? Where do you start? What types of careers are available? These are the major questions to consider when pursing a career in the hospitality industry. The following descriptions out- line the different levels of hospitality po- sitions you might enter into. Entry-Level: This is where you start;
the experience and skill you will gain in these positions can prepare you for ad- vancement in your career. Typically the tasks are related to your position and are a valuable component to the success of the hospitality entity. Skilled-Level: This is the next step
where you will develop specific skills and capabilities that can be transferred from one position to another. Manageri- al-Level: This is when your experience,
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training and initiative are combined to create your ability to lead employees and manage business. The following are specific career opp-
ortunities you can obtain in the hospitality industry:
LODGING - Hotel Manager - Sales Manager - Travel Journalist - Front Office Manager - Reservation Manager
FOOD & BEVERAGE - Restaurant Manager - Kitchen Manager - Banquet Manager - Chef
- Bar/Club Manager
RECREATIONAL SERVICES - Campground Manager - Tour Escort/Operator - Meeting/Conference Planner - Travel Consultant - Recreation Specialist
As you can see you have many choi-
ces, but what qualities must you possess? The hospitality industry, like many other industries, seeks and requires a certain personality to be successful, you must: • Like People • Be a Hard Worker
• Have strong Communication Skills • Be willing to Sacrifice • Maintain a Professional Appearance • Have ”Common Sense” (be able to
think on your feet to respond to guests’ needs)
Although these qualities may seem
simple, they are constantly put to the test due to the requests of people served by this very demanding industry. Regardless of where you work within hospitality, you will be required to exceed guest/customer expectations to ensure the experience they have at your facility is valuable, pleasant, and memorable. Once you obtain a position and work
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hard, what can you expect to be paid (what is your worth)? We all expect to be well compensated for a job well done! Although the history of wages in the hos- pitality industry has been considered low, times have changed! Today, wages for the hospitality industry are very competitive as compared to those for other industries, and a wide range of salaries are available. Several elements, beginning with capa- bility/skill and performance, will impact your income; additionally, types of pro- perty, location, and position are factors that are also included. Employment out- look for the hospitality industry varies by occupation; however, wage and salary employment in hotels and other lodging places is expected to increase 13% from 2000-2010. This job growth is due to ri- sing personal income, an increase in the number of two-income families, low-cost airfares, and a greater emphasis on leisure activities on in our society. What type of education will you need
to obtain a job in the hospitality industry? The industry is becoming increasingly complex with a greater emphasis being placed on specialized training. Demand is increasing for people with special skills ob- tained in colleges, junior colleges, techni- cal institutes, vocational schools, and high schools. Programs range in length from a few months to several years. Nearly 200 community and junior colleges offer 2-year degree programs in hotel and re- staurant management. It is possible to ob- tain a 4-year college degree in the liberal arts or other fields and enter into a trainee or junior management track. However, a bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in hotel and restaurant management provi- des the strongest background for a career as a hotel manager, with nearly 150 col- leges and universities offering programs. Graduates of these programs are highly sought by employers in this industry. New graduates often go through on-the- job training programs before being given much responsibility. Eventually, they can advance to a top management position in a large chain operation.
The Black E.O.E. Journal
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