Additional Information
There are a number of different avenues to enter a career in hotel management.
Regardless of the path you take, a combination of related work experience
and education is unbeatable.
"I think people look for applicants who have a proven commitment to the
industry. By this, I mean the person has been interested enough to work within
hotels over the years and committed enough to take their interest seriously
and get some formal training," says hotel manager Sean Seymour.
Texas hotel manager Trisha Debuke and others in this industry say even
applicants with post-secondary education in hospitality rarely jump right
into management positions.
"The most common scenario is starting as a supervisor and working your
way up," says Debuke. Starting out as an hourly wage supervisor is a great
way to get your foot in the door.
People who have been managers in the hospitality industry say they are
most impressed by employees who talk to management about their goals although
they may only be working in an entry-level position.
"Ambition is highly underrated these days, but it really impresses people
in this field," says hotel manager Leslie Donaldson.
The hospitality ladder will be a lot easier to climb with an education.
There are many options for getting training in hotel management. Colleges
and universities across North America offer two-year diplomas, four-year degrees
and, in some cases, master's degrees in hospitality management.
Hotel management programs often include courses in administration, economics,
accounting, marketing, food service management, and computers. Internships
and part-time work at hotels during school are great ways to gain experience
and get contacts.
A degree in business administration is equally valuable when combined with
work experience.