12 Careers for Hospitality Management Graduates
Hospitality management degrees bring together the worlds of business and customer service. Students in these programs do more than learn to run a hotel or restaurant. They also gain basic accounting knowledge, develop their management abilities, explore the ins and outs of client relations, and more. Most graduate with a wide range of transferable skills, as well as a strong understanding of finance, culinary theory, human resources, organizational behavior, and business management.
With these qualifications, hospitality majors can find employment all over the world. Many work in resorts or other accommodation businesses, helping guests feel welcome and relaxed. Others manage flight centers, restaurants, or amusement parks. For a dedicated hospitality management major, the career options are endless! Let's take a look at just a few of the most common ones.
This article will be covering the following careers:
| Career | Avg Salary | Satisfaction | Your Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging Manager | $51k | 3.0/5 | |
| Tour Guide | $26k | 3.6/5 | |
| Food Server | $5k | 2.4/5 | |
| Event Planner | $29k | 3.5/5 | |
| Spa Manager | $42k | 3.2/5 | |
| Restaurant Manager | $34k | 2.8/5 | |
| Travel Agent | $33k | 3.1/5 | |
| Culinary Chef | $23k | 3.0/5 | |
| Concierge | $15k | 2.9/5 | |
| Human Resources Manager | $71k | 3.1/5 | |
| Flight Attendant | $42k | 3.4/5 | |
| Entrepreneur | $71k | 4.0/5 |
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1. Lodging Manager
Lodging management is one of the most popular career choices among hospitality majors. This role involves overseeing the core operations of accommodation businesses, like hotels, resorts, hostels, and bed and breakfasts. Lodging managers establish room fees, manage staff, balance finances, and even take charge of advertising and public relations.
Lodging Manager
A lodging manager is responsible for overseeing the operations and management of lodging establishments such as hotels, resorts, motels, or bed and breakfasts.
2. Tour Guide
Tourism is another exciting direction hospitality management students can pursue. Many become tour guides, helping visitors make the most of new museums, cities, historical sites, natural areas, and more. Their excellent social skills allow them to ensure their guests feel entertained and engaged. Their business knowledge, meanwhile, helps them stay on top of tour finances, sales, and marketing.
Tour Guide
A tour guide provides assistance, information, and guidance to individuals or groups of tourists during their travels.
3. Food Server
Although many service jobs are entry-level, top positions are often held by hospitality majors. One such position is the maitre d'—the head waiter and public face of any restaurant. These personable professionals assign servers to tables, take customer reservations, supervise staff, and ensure all restaurant operations are running smoothly.
Food Server
At the heart of the hospitality industry's service sector, a food server serves as a linchpin, seamlessly connecting patrons with the dining establishment.
4. Event Planner
Many convention centers, resorts, hotels, and lodges host special events, like weddings and conferences. And each of these events needs a skilled event planner to take charge of organization and logistics. As event planners, hospitality management majors will manage budgets, create schedules, and arrange the entertainment, refreshments, transportation, and equipment needed to make the event a success.
Event Planner
An event planner specializes in organizing and executing various types of events, ranging from small gatherings to large-scale conferences and weddings.
5. Spa Manager
Spa managers play a similar role as lodging managers, but in a slightly different setting. They oversee all aspects of spas and relaxation centers to ensure the best possible experience for their clients. This can include hiring and supervising personnel, coordinating promotional campaigns, monitoring finances, and more.
Spa Manager
A spa manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a spa, ensuring that it runs smoothly and efficiently.
6. Restaurant Manager
For more culinarily-minded graduates, becoming a restaurant manager can be an ideal fit. This career involves managing kitchen operations; ordering and monitoring inventory; hiring, scheduling, and supervising staff; and maintaining the highest quality of customer service possible.
Restaurant Manager
A restaurant manager oversees the daily operations of a restaurant, ensuring efficient and effective functioning in all areas.
7. Travel Agent
Another tourism-oriented career, becoming a travel agent can be a perfect next step for a hospitality student. Travel agents help customers book the flights, accommodations, and tours and experiences for upcoming trips. This can include researching different flight options or hotel rooms, proposing and adjusting travel itineraries, and recommending fun activities and restaurants for travelers to enjoy while away.
Travel Agent
A travel agent assists individuals or groups in planning, organizing, and booking various aspects of their travel arrangements.
8. Culinary Chef
For a true foodie, a career as an executive chef can be an exciting option. These top-level chefs are the creative masterminds behind a restaurant's culinary offerings. They plan and design meals, direct chefs and sous-chefs, and oversee the kitchen's operations to ensure the highest possible food standards. Hospitality majors have the social skills and customer awareness needed to thrive in this role.
Culinary Chef
A culinary chef is trained in the art and science of food preparation, specializing in creating and executing culinary dishes that delight the senses.
9. Concierge
Hospitality careers can be competitive. For recent graduates, obtaining an entry-level job, like concierge, can be a perfect way to get started in the industry. Concierges are at the center of any hotel or lodge's client relations. They help guests access local services, buy tickets to different tours and attractions, make dining reservations, and more.
Concierge
A concierge is employed by hotels, resorts, luxury apartment complexes, or private clubs, whose primary role is to provide personalized assistance and services to guests or residents.
10. Human Resources Manager
Human resources (HR) is a core component of many hospitality degrees. With this qualification, graduates can pursue HR jobs in hotels, restaurants, casinos, and other hospitality-based businesses. HR managers are responsible for staff relations, a job that can include hiring and firing, resolving conflicts, administering paychecks, and much more.
Human Resources Manager
A human resources manager is responsible for overseeing various aspects of an organization's human resources department.
11. Flight Attendant
While a hospitality management degree isn't a requirement for becoming a flight attendant, it can be a major asset. Like many hospitality jobs, flight attending is all about providing the highest possible customer service. Flight attendants serve refreshments, answer passenger questions, and maintain the safety of the plane during takeoff, turbulence, and landing.
Flight Attendant
A flight attendant is a member of an airline's cabin crew who is responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers during flights.
12. Entrepreneur
Finally, many hospitality majors decide to create their own jobs. With their business skills and customer-focused work ethic, they can make excellent entrepreneurs. Some start adventure tourism companies, helping clients discover the wonders of the natural world. Others open restaurants, travel agencies, or bed and breakfasts. When it comes to entrepreneurship, there is no shortage of opportunities to explore.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an individual who takes on financial risks in order to create and manage a business venture with the aim of achieving profit and growth.