Hospitality Jobs and Careers

In our increasingly global economy, travel is on the rise, creating ample job opportunities in the hospitality industry. More than 1.8 million people are currently employed in the U.S. hotel and lodging industry alone. In fact, the hospitality industry is comprised of over 60,000 different establishments.
 
The hospitality industry is a booming field both in the U.S. and abroad, with no scarcity of jobs for skilled hospitality professionals. Hospitality offers a number of fun career choices for people-oriented individuals who also enjoy business management.

Getting into the Hospitality Industry

Professionals who thrive in the hospitality industry possess excellent interpersonal communication skills, an eye for detail, a courteous and professional demeanor and a good understanding of basic business principles.
 
Getting started in the hospitality industry can be relatively simple with the right educational background.
 
As with any industry, advancement usually happens for people who have the skills necessary to accomplish the job. For people who wish to land a great job in their chosen hospitality career, this means acquiring a degree.

Degrees in Hospitality

The primary degrees that can be obtained in hospitality are:
  • Associate's of Arts in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism
  • Bachelor's of Science in Business/Hospitality Management
  • Master's of Science in Hospitality.

All hospitality degrees can prepare you for jobs in:

  • food services
  • hospitality management
  • hospitality sales
  • hotel services
  • travel and tourism.

Program Duration

An associate's degree program typically takes two years to complete, but enrolling in online courses can shorten that time.
 
On the other hand, a Bachelor's in Hospitality can take between three and five years to complete, while a master's degree can take between one and three years. The duration of your education is dependent on the intensity of your workload, as well as the requirements of the college you choose to attend.

Coursework

Associate's degree programs in hospitality involve courses such as:
  • hotel operations
  • human resources
  • marketing
  • purchasing.

In contrast, a Bachelor's in Hospitality can provide you with more specific and in-depth classes, such as:

  • financial analysis for the hospitality industry
  • food and beverage cost control
  • food production management
  • hospitality industry law
  • operations control.

A master's program is generally more intensive than a bachelor's degree program and is well suited to individuals aiming to take on a hospitality general manager position or other hospitality manager roles. Master's programs include studies in:

  • fundamentals of hospitality management
  • hospitality administration
  • master's degree level business administration
  • MBA management fundamentals
  • tourism and travel overviews.
Several minors and electives, which are also usually part of hospitality degree programs, help prepare students for more specific hospitality jobs.
 
For example, if you are interested in becoming a travel agent, some schools offer specializations in travel and tourism. Taking advantage of these electives or specialization options can increase your knowledge of the career you would like to pursue. As a result, your specialized skills will give you an edge over the competition when applying for jobs.

Tuition Costs

Associate's degree costs can begin at around $10,000 and go all the way up to $20,000, depending on the way you choose to pursue the degree (online or in a physical institution).
 
To pursue a Bachelor's in Hospitality, you may have to shell out anywhere between $15,000 to $25,000. A Master's in Hospitality can also start at $15, 000 and can go up to around $32,000, depending on the school and curriculum.

Jobs in the Hospitality Field

Since the industry is so varied, students can choose from hundreds of different hospitality careers, including:
  • conference planning
  • food and beverage management
  • human resources
  • marketing
  • property management hospitality
  • resort operations
  • restaurant hospitality
  • sales.
The best method for getting the job you want is to research the hospitality markets to find a job that best suits your skills. Select a school that offers training in that field. If you are determined, you could be well on your way to a promising career in the hospitality industry of your choice.


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