Hospitality

Hospitality Degrees

We’ve all experienced and participated in the practice of hospitality. Whether you’re bringing a friend a glass of water, inquiring as to the location of a product in a store, or giving directions to a stranger, it’s all relevant within the field of hospitality. In every corner of the globe, throughout every industry, regardless of prestige or price, there is someone working in the field of hospitality. Events and entertainment, food, lodging, travel, these are the major hubs of the hospitality industry, but for those with hospitality degrees, the sky is the limit when it comes to opportunity.

Hospitality Degree Programs Description

It’s all about finding a balance, both in your studies and your work. Hospitality is about equality and comfort, about solving problems and keeping the machine of our society well oiled and operating smoothly. In the past many in the hospitality industry were promoted from within, relied on their experience and less on formal education. Presently hospitality degree programs are on the rise, with the emergence of hospitality college, like the Rosen College of Hospitality at the University of Central Florida which is accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration. Hospitality degree programs and hospitality college can instill skills and knowledge that is unavailable through direct experience. You will learn industry standards and practices through specialized courses like hospitality management or destination services management. Computer training is also an integral part of your education, a skill necessary to real world industry standards. Hospitality degree programs and hospitality college also supplement your education with general business and liberal arts courses, as well as real life experience through internship programs or work study. Hospitality degrees are available from the two-year Associate level to six-year Doctorates in hospitality education. Also, for those already in the industry, certificate programs are available to enhance skills or keep up with industry changes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 1000 colleges and universities which offer four year programs in restaurant or hospitality management, with approximately 100 of those accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration.

Hospitality Careers

The careers available to those interested in hospitality range from the chambermaid to the board room. Those with hospitality degrees will have a leg up on competition for the managerial jobs as well as prime locations and places of travel. You can concentrate your career on food service, events management, hotel management, airlines, resorts, or travel agencies. Travel, leisure and the service industry is not all you’re limited to though, those with hospitality degrees could find work in hospitals, corporate offices or government institutions, anything where customer help is required, regardless of what specialty field you choose helping people will be your business. However, for positions like Food Service Manager, the job growth potential is slower than most occupations, with a projected increase of only 5 percent by the year 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2008, over 338,000 food service managers held jobs, earning a median annual salary of $46,320, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.