Exploring Hotel Management Career Profiles

Exploring Hotel Management Career Profiles
Page content

Hotel Management Career Profile: Level of Education

Are you interested in a hotel management career? Profiles of these jobs indicate the minimum level of education necessary to succeed is an associate degree in hotel management. As with any field, the more education you have the more opportunities and better salaries will be available. An associate degree will let the candidate achieve a position most likely in a single hotel-type dwelling, your typical hotel which may have a restaurant and amenities on site.

In order to achieve a career in top hotel management such as a major resort or spas dealing with large properties that in turn are almost like their own cities, the candidate will need to have a bachelor’s degree. Experience also speaks volumes. If a candidate can secure an internship in a hotel he will not only gain valuable experience to add to a resume along with his education but also make valuable references and contacts for the future.

A degree in hotel management concentrates on areas such as business, finance, management, marketing, and communications. A hotel manager must be able to effectively deal with the business side of the hotel such as finance and management but must also be able to communicate effectively. Communication with staff about their duties and communication with patrons to deal with their complaints and specific situations in a satisfactory manner is necessary.

Duties of a Hotel Manager

The duties of a hotel manager can vary greatly depending on the size of the establishment. Some hotel managers may report to a general manager or may be the sole manager of the establishment. Hotel managers are generally responsible for all of the day-to-day activities of the hotel. Some of these activities may include setting rates, overseeing the financial operations of the hotel, and the overall responsbility to see that the hotel guest is satisfied with his stay. If a customer has a complaint, the first person he will ask to see to find a resolution is the hotel manager.

Job Prospects for Hotel Managers

The job market for hotel managers is of course dependent on the economy. The field is expected to grow but slowly due to the trying economic times. The median salary for a hotel manager is $44,546, and the upper scale for hotel management such as at a resort is $68,144. Obviously, the bigger the property the larger the duties, and the salary would be commensurate with that.

Hotel managers can have many roles on the property. A general manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a hotel. Resident managers actually live at the property on site. They are on call 24 hours a day to solve problems and address customer concerns.

A property owner may break up his managers into departments. A manager might just manage the conventions taking place at a large property. The convention manager would make arrangements for group functions such as food, technology needed, rooms needed, and itinerary planning. A manager might just manage the front desk or the food service, depending on the property.

Conclusion

The greater the education, the greater the opportunities for hotel managers. Education can be earned in associate degrees and bachelor degrees. A hotel manager’s duties can vary greatly depending on the type and size of property. The field is expected to grow but at a slower rate due to the economic times. A hotel manager may manage an entire hotel or a certain department of a property, depending on how the property is structured.

SOURCES:

Image credit: www.publicdomainpictures.net

Read More About It on Bright Hub:

Different Career Options in Hotel Management by Ciel S. Cantoria

Getting a Bachelor Degree in Hotel Management Online by Sonal Panse