If you're a natural-born leader, gifted in making people feel warm and welcome and keeping them well-fed, consider a career in Hospitality and Restaurant Management . In this customer service-driven industry, Hospitality and food service managers oversee all food service operations and pamper guests with the comforts of home and then some.
Starting in High School
For those who want a jumpstart into the hospitality and restaurant management industry, the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA) offers its Lodging Management Program through more than 450 high schools in 45 states. When high school juniors enroll in this two-year program, they learn management principles, earn the Certified Rooms Division Specialist credential, and may even earn credits toward a college degree in Hotel management.
In addition, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) offers the ProStart Program, a nationwide system of high school restaurant and food service courses linked with mentored work site experiences. Successful program completion leads to the National ProStart Certificate of Completion, as well as potential college credit. As of June 2005, over 53,000 high school students at more than 1,300 schools in 45 states were enrolled in this program.
Continuing in College
Don't stop after high school -- a degree in hospitality, restaurant, or hotel management is often required for management positions. Almost 1,000 schools offer postsecondary programs in hospitality and restaurant management. These programs include instruction in hotel administration, accounting, economics, marketing, housekeeping, food service management and catering, hotel maintenance engineering, nutrition, sanitation, food planning and preparation, business law and management, computer science, personnel management, and recordkeeping. Most programs also provide internships for students to gain on-the-job experience.
Getting Certified
Once you're out of school, completing a certification program can boost your hospitality and restaurant management employment and advancement potential. The Educational Institute of AH&LA offers an array of certification opportunities, including Certified Hotel Manager, Certified Lodging Manager, and Certified Food and Beverage Executive. The NRAEF awards the certified Foodservice Management Professional and ManageFirst Professional credentials.
Career Opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, lodging managers held about 58,000 jobs in 2004, and food service managers held about 371,000 jobs. Of course, job opportunities will be best for those with higher-level degrees in hospitality and restaurant management. Median annual earnings of salaried food service managers were $39,610 in May 2004, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $68,860. Median annual earnings of lodging managers were $37,660, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $72,160.
Choose hospitality and restaurant management, and you'll have a career you can call home.
About the author:
Robyn Tellefsen is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.
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