Hospitality Management
A hospitality management professional takes steps to ensure that people who stay at lodging establishments such as inns, RV parks, campgrounds, boardinghouses, and youth hostels enjoy a pleasant experience. By overseeing staff, making certain the rooms are properly maintained, and ensuring food and other services are provided to guests, a hospitality management professional makes it possible for guests to enjoy a restful and relaxing stay.
The exact duties of a hospitality management professional will vary according to employer and job position. While some hospitality management professionals oversee the operation of the entire facility, others may oversee a particular aspect of the facility. This is particularly true at larger facilities as well as those that offer a wide variety of services, such as resort-style facilities. In this case, there may be a manager in charge of overseeing the restaurants, one in charge of overseeing other entertainment, one in charge of overseeing the rooms, and one in charge of overseeing the front desk operations.
The amount of income you can expect to earn as a hospitality management professional depends upon your education level, your experience, your geographic location, and the size and type of establishment you oversee. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for hospitality management professionals was $46,300 in 2009.
In order to become a hospitality management professional, you need to obtain a bachelor's degree in the field. Many larger, upscale establishments, however, require candidates to hold a minimum of a master's degree. Numerous community colleges, junior colleges, vocational schools, trade schools, technical institutes, and universities offer certificate as well as degree programs in hospitality management.
A good candidate for a career in hospitality management is someone who is friendly and has excellent communication and leadership skills. Those who know how to get along with a variety of different people, who have initiative and strong organizational skills, and have an interest in becoming part of the hospitality industry are particularly well suited to this career.