A bachelor's degree in hotel and restaurant administration provides particularly strong preparation for a career in hotel management In 1988, over 150 colleges and universities offered bachelor's and graduate programs in this field. Over 600 community and junior colleges, technical institutes, vocational and trade schools, and other academic institutions also have hotel or restaurant management programs leading to an associate degree or other formal recognition.
Graduates of such management programs usually start as trainee assistant managers or at the very least, advance to this position more quickly. Even if a college degree isn't mandatory for breaking into the hotel/motel business, it is essential if your goal is to make it to senior level management with the rapid advance in management techniques and technology in the industry, a solid education is a must Needless to say, computer literacy is also extremely valuable.
And What You Still Have to Learn
Management positions almost always require knowledge of the business from "the bottom up". Hard workers with what it takes might expect to be at a management level within five years, with an increase in starting pay from 20% to 100%.
Most managers are promoted from the ranks of front desk clerks, housekeepers, waiters, chefs, and salespeople. While some persons still advance to hotel management positions without the benefit of education or training beyond high school, postsecondary education is increasingly required and specialized hotel or restaurant training is preferred. Experience working in a hotel, even part-time
In this industry, it is not "news" when someone starts at the bottom of the career ladder and makes it to the top. There are success stories in every functional area: the housekeeper who works her way up to executive housekeeper in a 1,200 room hotel, the waiter who eventually becomes food and beverage manager, the reservations clerk promoted to front office manager and the bellman who becomes general manager.
Personality and stamina are key factors to hotel industry success. No matter what your job might be, you are there to service the guests. During the busy times, this could mean double shifts, loss of days off, even staying overnight in the hotel just to catch a few hours of sleep. Hotels are not just looking for young and beautiful people to work in a beautiful environment; they are looking for people with good common sense and a willingness to work hard.
Managers are promoted frequently and often relocated to other properties in the United States and abroad. These managers must be able to get along with all kinds of people, even in stressful situations. They need initiative, self-discipline, and the ability to organize and direct the work of others, solve problems, and concentrate on details.
HMTO Are Good Training Programs
Many large hotels and hotel corporations offer specialized, on-the-job management training programs that enable trainees to rotate among various departments and gain a thorough knowledge of the hotel's operation. Some offer free courses to employees to help them advance in their careers. Other hotels may even finance the necessary formal training in hotel management for outstanding employees. Newly built hotels, particularly those without well-established, on-the-job training programs, often prefer experienced personnel for managerial positions.
While large hotel and motel chains may offer better opportunities for advancement than small, independently owned establishments, they may also require frequent relocation. The large chains have more extensive career ladder programs and offer managers the opportunity to transfer to another hotel or motel in the chain or to the central office if an opening occurs.
Working in the hotel industry is exciting, even humorous at times, no matter what your job might be. It is a fast career track offering on the job training and the chance to meet new people every day and an atmosphere that encourages individuality and scheduling flexibility.
A veteran of the lodging industry for the past, Michele Kelley has served as spokesperson for the lodging industry for the last four years in her role as Director of Communications for the American Hotel and Motel Association. During her tenure with the Association, she has implemented several award programs, such as an industry response to the economic effects of the Persian Gulf War entitled,
Travel the Perfect Freedom an awareness program to the importance of tourism to the economic well-being of the United States and a booklet explaining the various segments of the lodging industry, shopping for a Hotel.
Prior to her work with the American Hotel and Motel Association, Ms. Kelley opened the public relations department for the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, a 1200 room property in the heart of downtown New Orleans.
