It is a common misconception that a hospitality degree directly correlates to students pursuing positions as hotel managers. A hospitality degree encompasses so much more than just managing a hotel. A hospitality degree is a detailed study of the hospitality industry and there is much to be studied.
A degree in hospitality encompasses a broad spectrum of hospitality services, including conferencing, hotels, restaurant management, tourism and special events. Furthermore, the major addresses how you can run a guest-oriented business smoothly with profit while providing superior customer service. Finances, security, accounting, marketing, foodservice operations, world cultures, industry trends and housekeeping are topics covered when acquiring a hospitality degree.
Additionally, students who pursue this degree will be required to get real-world experience through internships. Those who graduate with a degree in hospitality can work in many different industries and locations, including but not limited to resorts, restaurants, hotels, conference centers, corporations and the government.
The first step to landing these jobs is to determine how you can qualify for a hospitality degree program. The requirements needed to gain admission to a hospitality degree program will vary from college to college. Let’s now look at some of the best schools offering hospitality degrees.
Best Hospitality Degree Schools
A hospitality degree can be earned through the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy or a Master of Business Administration.
Some classes you can expect to take when pursuing your hospitality degree are data processing, economics, hotel administration, housekeeping, tourism, management, hotel maintenance engineering and foodservice management. Furthermore, students can expect to take a law course as well as a marketing class.
There are many colleges and universities that offer a degree in hospitality. It is essential to consider which college may be best for you. For example, you should determine which school specializes in your area of concentration.
To help make your decision easier, we have created a list below of the best colleges to earn a degree in hospitality.
Cornell University
Cornell is an excellent option for those who are planning on studying hospitality. Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York, and is a private, not-for-profit school with a rather large student population. Cornell University hospitality management graduates earn $15,526 more than the average hospitality student in the United States.
Culinary Institute of America
The Culinary Institute of America is another excellent choice for individuals pursuing a hospitality management major. This is a small private, not-for-profit school located in Hyde Park, New York. Students who graduate from this hospitality program make an average of $37,100 in their first job out of college.
Purdue University
Purdue University is a significant public school located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The university is one of the most popular colleges for hospitality degrees in the United States. Students who graduate from the Purdue hospitality program report an average early career income of $43,700.
New York University
New York University is a large private, not-for-profit school located in New York City, New York. NYU is another one of the most famous institutions to study hospitality. Hospitality management graduates from NYU earn around $7,926 more than the typical graduate.
University of Delaware
The University of Delaware, located in Newark, Delaware, also has a large student population. For those deciding to further their education in hospitality, Delaware offers a great master’s degree program. Students at the University of Delaware make around $4,726 more than the average college graduate in their field.
Hospitality Degree Job Prospects
After obtaining a degree in hospitality, students will be prepared for managerial positions in the dynamic industry of tourism. Moreover, there are a lot of opportunities available once obtaining a hospitality degree. Below are some positions that you will be qualified for after earning a hospitality degree.
Meeting, Convention and Event Planner: If you believe you can coordinate all aspects of events and professional meetings, being an event planner would be an excellent position. In this position, you will arrange meeting locations and transportation, and also visit prospective meeting sites to finalize many other details.
Travel Agent: Travel agents are the experts in simplifying the process of planning an entire trip. As a travel agent, you will provide consultation services, special offers and travel packages to clients seeking a vacation or environment change. Booking flights, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises and resort stays are all duties in the life of a travel agent.
Furthermore, travel agents research relevant information about a trip, such as required documentation for the destination, safety regulations and weather conditions. Moreover, travel agents typically work in a specific field of travel based on their preferences, whether it be business trips, leisure travel or particular locations like Asia or Mexico.
Foodservice Manager: There is a lot more to a restaurant or any foodservice than just serving food to customers at a table. Hospitality plays a significant role in attracting new customers and maintaining current customers. Foodservice managers in the restaurant industry are in charge of making a simple night out for dinner a memorable experience. With a focus on the food industry, you may be working as a catering coordinator or restaurant manager. Either way, the skills you need for a foodservice manager position are consistent with communication skills, a great sense of organization and the ability to work under pressure.
Entertainment Manager: Working in the entertainment industry provides an individual with many opportunities to travel both nationally and internationally. One of the main perks for this position is traveling. However, you will also manage performances, events, artists and entertainers. This job, while highly desirable, can also be both stressful and demanding. A few skills necessary for this position are project management and people skills.
Additionally, another aspect of the job is working closely with parks, holiday venues, international organizations, hotels and other companies in the entertainment industry. As an entertainment manager, daily tasks could include conducting research, handling publicity, managing budgets, booking performers, managing events and working with agents.
Depending on your position, a hospitality major can make an average salary of anywhere from $40,000 to $142,000. Those on the $40,000 end are event managers with a national average salary of $43,018 per year.
Another ideal position for a hospitality graduate is a hotel general manager. This position brings in around $50,313 per year. One of the highest paying jobs for a hospitality major is a casino director. As a casino director, the national average salary is $142,302 per year.
Conclusion
If a career in the hospitality industry sounds like the perfect fit for you, then learn more about the field with Career Karma. Career Karma is here to assist professionals in starting or furthering their careers. Download the app today!
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
