Hospitality is not only a very busy and challenging industry but also one of the largest employment sectors in the world. You can have a booming and profitable career in this sector if you start at the right time with the right skills. The hospitality industry is excellent for those who have unparalleled people skills, are quick to think, or are passionate about food & entertainment or hospitality. There are two sides to the industry that are often not talked about — one includes front-line operations and the other a more corporate version. The former includes guest services (food, beverage, concierge, etc). While the corporate sector has many opportunities and departments — HR, social media marketing, PR, market analysis, and more.
If you are keen on a career in this field, consider taking up good hospitality and tourism courses to gain all the necessary skills that will ensure a successful career in this field.
1. Find your niche specialization and master it
There are many specializations in the hospitality and tourism industry that have their own unique skill sets. Make a list of your skills and narrow down the specializations that match yours in order to save a great deal of your time. If your ambition is to be a manager of a five-star hotel or a luxury resort, start acting on it by applying for internships or apprenticeships to get started. Of course, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a specialist field can give you the right head-start. Some specializations include — event management, wine management, conventions, and more.
2. Master your soft skills
Although your technical skills can help you get noticed, it is your soft skills that will be relied upon from time to time if you are looking for a successful career in this industry. The hospitality industry is always busy and highly fast-paced in nature which requires professionals in this field to be highly adaptive and resilient. Being successful in this industry means one must be great with teamwork and warm with the customers. They also need to possess very clear communication skills in order to keep the guests happy and coming back.
3. Learn how to network
No matter which industry you are working in, good networking is vital as connections have the potential to help take you far and wide. It could be a challenge to start with but the only way to improve on it is by starting and practising. Start networking initially in classrooms, with your peers, while working for an internship or attending events like education tours or career fairs.
Networking is not just about building valuable contacts, but it also helps to access other opportunities from which you can learn and further your knowledge of the industry you work for. Being successful in hospitality means building a trustworthy relationship with your guests, to give them some experience that is extra and special for them to keep coming back.
Join a program today to earn the skills you need to succeed.
