Jobs for the Major
How this major affects a job search
Millions of people spend their workdays cramped in tiny cubicles with nothing but fluorescent-lit walls to look at all day. Hospitality majors have the option of having gorgeous landscapes as the backdrop to their hotel headquarters, or being at the center of a bustling metropolis in their brand new restaurant. Pretty snazzy, no?
If setting isn't important to you, then read on. Majoring in hospitality means you can often make your own hours. That's right, you could conceivably work whenever you wanted to if you end up as a restaurant owner or hotel manager. The hum drum of the nine-to-five work week won't get you down if you're your own boss.
With a degree in Hospitality Management, you'll be marketable to pretty much any business that needs customer service people. After all, that's exactly what these jobs are: customer service. But it goes beyond explaining that no, coupons are non-cash redeemable and yes, fries do come with that—you're specializing in making people happy and ensuring their swift return to your place of business. If individual-level management isn't your style, how about putting on huge concerts? Yes, you read right: you can make a career by throwing huge parties, too. Good news for all you party animals.
Common Career Fields
Casino Supervisor: Being a casino supervisor means more than schmoozing with the high rollers. They've got to make sure the staff is supported, that daily operations are running smoothly, and they have to organize events, which can get pretty tricky. Imagine if Bono was coming to your venue to put on a concert. Where in the world do you start? Doesn't sound easy, does it? These supervisors are the people who make sure special events go as smooth as James Bond applying moisturizer.
Chef: If you've ever seen those cooking competition shows, you totally get it. Pots and pans clanging, dishes being dropped, grease fires, sliced fingers, undercooked meat, and all that pressure—no, thanks.
Okay, so maybe those shows are edited for dramatic effect, but one thing is certain: being a chef takes skill, and it's a pretty sweet gig in general. Maybe you won't get to be as famous as Bobby Flay or Gordon Ramsay, but pair your hospitality management degree with one for culinary arts, and you'll be a culinary crackerjack.
Event Planner: Chaos. Complete and utter chaos. That's exactly what event planners have to deal with. So many things could potentially go wrong in the event of event-planning, and they're in charge of preventing and/or fixing them…and yes, without having a nervous breakdown.
Sure, it's stressful, but once the event is over, they get to walk away with a nice chunk of change in their pocket and a huge sigh of relief. Consider all the effort that goes into putting on a top tier wrestling match. It's a lot more than just getting some sweaty guys together, which just sounds like a typical Friday night, if you ask us.
Hotel manager: Managing a hotel is what many hospitality management majors do after college. After all, like we said earlier, hospitality and hotels go hand-in-hand. Hotel managers are the people that ensure everything goes according to plan and the customer is happy. So if you've ever been given a complimentary stay at a hotel because your mini fridge started leaking and ruined all your Valentino dress pants, you can thank (or blame) a hotel manager.
Restaurant Owner: Being a restaurant owner is tough, and there's no way around that. You've got to be especially careful if you're just starting out. The owners are in charge of absolutely everything, from hiring new employees to crunching numbers. They're your boss's boss, the head honcho, el jefe. If anything goes wrong, it's the owner's responsibility. It's true that the owners are held accountable if things go awry, but hey, they're also held accountable if things go right.
Spa Manager: Imagine working where people come to relax. No, really think about it. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and envision a place where people actually want to be left alone. Ahhh. Sounds heavenly. Granted, you won't be able to lounge in a mud bath all day with cucumber slices on your eyes, but if the environment is soothing for your customers, it'll probably be soothing for you, too. We're talkin' soft lighting, serene music, fluffy towels, fresh-baked cookies, Alan Rickman reciting poetry, synchronized swimmers in mermaid costumes…okay, well maybe just the first three.
Travel Planner: Most people need to be told what to do and where to go. It sounds odd, but think about how much time it takes to decide what to watch on Netflix. Point taken? Unless you're blessed with a decisive friend, most people need a travel planner.
Vacationing families, honeymooning newlyweds, and springbreaking college kids are all the usual clients of a travel planner. Putting together a vacation requires a lot of research and organization, and that's why planners get paid to put it all in one nice, neat package with a bow on top. We're sure there have probably been plenty of relationships ruined over petty disagreements, like who gets the window seat. If only they'd hired a travel planner…
Current unemployment of the major
5.6%Percentage of majors who get a higher degree after college
12%Stats obtained from this source.