Overview of Hotel and Resort Management Degree Program
Mar 4, 2015 | 9:00 am
If you reach out for greater responsibility, you will always be moving up. It depends on your mindset and how badly you really want the extra duties. Guess what? There is always going to be work to do. There is always going to be someone who wants to pass the stress onto someone else and delegate. If you don’t mind the challenge and if you enjoy working in the industries of hotel and resort, management may be your calling.
Management Potential Means Greater Responsibility
Studies in hotel and resort management will focus on specific managerial training for all of the hospitality industries, including lodging, hotels, restaurants, motels, and usually conventions and food services. Since this is a hands-on course, one of the best reasons to seek it out is because of internship options.
The subject matter includes courses on behavioral science, business, arts and humanities and other subjects that will prepare you for a well-rounded knowledge of management—not merely the food and hospitality industry. Management is a leadership position, so communication skills are important. Students must demonstrate English language proficiency since they will be managing and leading teams, not merely freelancing or presiding over a single event.
Hotel and Resort Management Curriculum
What management in this industry typically involves is a combination of subjects that relate to understanding people. For example, foreign languages are part of the curriculum. Math and natural sciences are part of the foundation of business. History and the humanities are among other subjects considered. The curriculum is usually put together by academic leaders and is written with the “million dollar resort” in mind, meaning that although it is scalable knowledge, you are only working your way up to a prosperous managerial career.
When choosing a course, try to find out what accreditation they carry as well as the internship and field experiences they offer in addition to expert knowledge. Some schools actually have contacts in the local hospitality industry. If you can benefit from some real experience, or interviews with working managers, or the like, take that opportunity.
The program addresses many of the central issues in the industry at present time, such as modern fare like cruise liners, theme parks, expositions, and entertainment complex. According to sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, managers for medium to large venues might decrease slightly in demand because many hotels and entertainment venues are decreasing their services. This allows owners to scale back the expenses on staff.
The job outlook for you is to stick with employers that have wider ranges of services, and are not decreasing the niceties they offer their clients, since this is a sign of recession and downsizing.
Competition remains important and new applicants should always try to apply for a college degree and use this experience and knowledge as a starting point. Being willing and able to travel to new locations where your assets can be used is also a shrewd move. This is an exciting career for the highly motivated individual and the people person who always remains focused on achieving set goals.