Hospitality careers are available in hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, casinos, and rental agencies, to name a few. A reservation agent, a waiter, a concierge, a bartender, and a housekeeper are just a few of the many hospitality jobs available. Hotel manager, bellhop, chef, and gaming operator are some other hospitality career options.
Entry-level positions in the hospitality industry are typically low-paying, but they may come with benefits and the opportunity for advancement. Waitresses, housekeepers, bellhops, and bartenders, for example, can expect to receive tips in addition to their wages in some hospitality jobs. These lower-paying jobs typically do not require more than a high school diploma. Some bartenders go to school to learn how to mix and serve drinks, but the majority are self-taught. However, if a person wants to be a chef or work in the hospitality industry, he will almost always need to continue his education.
A chef oversees the kitchen staff and prepares meals for guests. The chef can come up with new recipes and menus. Chefs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including dessert chefs, sauce chefs, sous chefs, and executive chefs, all of whom require a culinary arts degree. Cruise ships, resorts, fine restaurants, and hotels are just a few of the places where different types of chefs can find work.
For those interested in management positions in the hospitality industry, there are a variety of options. A person can sometimes start at the bottom and work his way up to management, but a degree in hospitality management can help a person advance more quickly. There are online and on-campus degree programs in hotel management, tourism, and restaurant and beverage management, among other areas of hospitality management. General manager, guest services manager, banquet manager, and head housekeeper are all examples of hospitality management jobs.
Reservation agents can work for hotels, airlines, and rental agencies in the hospitality industry. A reservation agent can interact with customers in person or over the phone. In addition to reservation agents, airlines employ flight attendants and pilots in the hospitality industry.
Bartenders, gaming operators, waitresses, janitors, and chefs can all work in casinos as hospitality professionals. A gaming operator can take on a variety of roles. He has the authority to call bingo numbers, deal cards, spin the roulette wheel, and supervise any other casino games. Many job opportunities exist in the hospitality industry for those who enjoy working with the public to put guests at ease, as well as those who enjoy cooking, cleaning, mixing drinks, or traveling.