The hospitality industry is one of the largest, most diverse industries in the world. Jobs in this field can range from managing a restaurant to organizing travel for businesses to working on a casino floor as a manager. Regardless of the career path you choose, the skills learned through a bachelor’s in hospitality management program will prepare you to provide guests with a memorable experience.
Hotel or Restaurant Management
The hospitality industry employs a large number of people in hotels and restaurants. According to BachelorsPortal.com, “A restaurant or bar manager is in charge of handling and coordinating all the activities from all departments, making sure everything runs smoothly.” It is a job well-suited for self-motivated individuals with strong organizational skills.
According to August 2018 PayScale data, the average salary for restaurant managers is $42,859 per year.
Similarly, hotel managers are tasked with ensuring that all departments run smoothly and communicate well. Bachelorsportal.com notes, “Hotel managers take care of administrative tasks, but also deal with customer service duties.” Depending on the kind of environment you thrive in, you could manage a large chain hotel or a smaller, independently owned inn.
Guest service agent is an entry-level position in the hotel industry. Bachelorsportal.com states that guest service agents “are like the customer service staff in hotels; they are the first contact person clients encounter within the hotel.” They note that guest service agents spend a lot of time interacting with clients, providing them with information about restaurants and attractions to visit during their stay.
According to PayScale (August 2018), the average salary for hotel managers is $54,060 per year, while front desk agents, or guest service agents average $25,782.
Event Management
Another option for those with a bachelor’s in hospitality management involves coordinating events and meetings. Monster contributor Jon Simmons writes, “When an organization has to plan a big event, the leaders will call on a meeting/event manager to handle every last detail, from booking a venue to planning a menu to controlling the budget.” This position involves working with the venue for the event, as well as the company or organization hosting the event.
PayScale places the average event coordinator salary at $51,778 per year (August 2018).
Travel and Tour Management
Organizing travel for private or corporate groups is another option for BBA in hospitality management graduates. According to Bachelorsportal.com, “A travel agent or tour operator is the person who assists clients with choosing a holiday destination. Travel agents plan and manage all the arrangements for the travel: accommodation, transportation, insurance.” They are the ones who help travelers have the best possible experience.
PayScale shows an average salary of $36,574 per year for travel agents, as of August 2018.
The above roles are just a few of the many job opportunities in the hospitality industry. It is one of the fastest-growing, most versatile industries, and since so many of the skills are transferrable from one job to another, there is plenty of room to move around and find the career that suits you best.
Learn more about Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online BBA in Hospitality Management program.
Sources:
Monster: 10 High-Paying Hospitality Jobs
PayScale: Bachelor’s Degree, Hospitality Management Degree