What Can You Do With a Hospitality Degree? Career Options

Key Takeaways

• A hospitality degree opens doors to roles in hotel management, event planning, food and beverage management, travel and tourism, and customer service, among others.
• A hospitality degree offers advantages such as a wide range of career opportunities, skill development, and global job prospects.
• You can advance in hospitality by furthering your education and training, gaining experience, and taking on leadership roles in various hospitality sectors.
• SHMS is the best choice for hospitality degrees because it combines world-class education, hands-on experience, and a global network, all set in Switzerland, the heart of hospitality excellence.

When you're faced with something new, something you don't necessarily know how to do, such as baking macarons, naturally, the first thing you do is look for recipes from renowned pastry chefs or even search for a YouTube video from them. It's the most logical approach—to seek guidance from those who know what they're doing in order to make sure that the job gets done right.

The same principle applies when pursuing a career in hospitality. If you want to excel in this industry, it's best to turn to professionals who can provide the expertise and structured education needed to develop the necessary skills and knowledge. So, for all roles in hospitality, from management to coordination, a hospitality degree is the best course of action to equip you for success.

What Is a Hospitality Degree?

A hospitality degree is a qualification earned upon completing a program specifically designed to prepare students for careers in the hospitality industry. Such degree programs focus on the skills and knowledge required by employers in roles that involve guest services, management, and operations.

A hospitality degree program typically covers hotel management, event planning, food and beverage management, and customer service. As a result, such a degree can be relevant and valuable for careers outside of hospitality, too, especially for industries that require strong customer relations, such as tourism, retail, or event management.

At Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS), for example, students can pursue a Bachelor's in International Hospitality Management or continue their education with advanced degrees like the Master of Science in International Hospitality Management or Master of Arts in International Hospitality Business Management. These programs are designed with both the practical experience and the theoretical knowledge necessary for the field in mind.

Internal surveys show that 97% of students at SHMS have job offers by graduation day, and five years after graduating, 89% of them hold management roles or have started their own companies.

Career Options With a Hospitality Degree

From the hotels we stay in to the restaurants we dine at, the hospitality industry is brimming with career opportunities. Therefore, considering the broad scope of the industry, a hospitality degree will help qualify you for an array of career roles. Some of them include:

Hospitality manager

Hospitality managers are usually in positions leading hospitality teams in hotels, resorts, and other hospitality establishments. These professionals are problem-solvers and often the first point of contact when an issue arises.

On a day-to-day basis, managers in these positions:

• Supervise staff performance
• Deal with guest complaints
• Coordinate day-to-day operations
• Manage budgets and resource allocation

After starting as a hospitality manager, you can progress to even higher positions like assistant general manager or hotel general manager. Further growth could lead to a director of operations role responsible for managing multiple properties.

Hotel general manager

General managers in hotels are basically at the head of all operations in that establishment. Typically, managers in this role must:

• Manage and motivate department heads
• Monitor financial performance 
• Ensure budget adherence
• Implement strategies for growth and improvements

This position is usually at the top of the hierarchy and chain of command. However, depending on the business, there might be the possibility of progressing into CEO (chief executive officer) or COO (chief operating officer) positions. 

Event planner

In this role, you would be responsible for organizing and tending to different events, whether small meetings or large conferences and weddings. 

In order to make sure the event meets client expectations, professionals in these roles:

• Meet with clients to clarify their event needs and preferences
• Coordinate with vendors, suppliers, and venues
• Handle event budgets, contracts, and logistics
• Troubleshoot any issues during the event

Event planners can transition to roles like event managers, where they head larger and more complex events, or even move into positions as conference coordinators for large-scale corporate events. SHMS' Master’s program in International Hospitality Business Management offers a specialization in event planning that can help equip you with advanced expertise in this area and facilitate this transition.

Food and beverage manager

F&B managers are primarily in charge of the guests' dining experience. Their goal is for the teams they lead to provide high-quality service and food preparation.

Managers in this role typically have to:

• Manage inventory and check food and beverage quality
• Hire, train, and supervise staff
• Assure compliance with health and safety regulations
• Help develop menus

These managers can grow professionally and move into higher management roles, such as director of food and beverage or even general manager for a larger hotel or resort.

Travel and tourism manager

Travel and tourism managers, as their name suggests, are in charge of managing and promoting travel destinations and services provided by travel agencies and vacation resorts.

Those in this managerial position are typically expected to:

• Plan travel packages and itineraries
• Manage relationships with hotels, tour companies, and travel providers
• Help promote travel services
• Handle customer service issues related to travel experiences

This role can easily pave the way for professionals to advance as directors of tourism or travel operations, where they manage multiple locations or travel services, with the potential for leadership opportunities at regional or even national levels.

Concierge

Hotel concierges are employees responsible for assisting guests with various services, from booking reservations for restaurants to arranging transportation. Nowadays, the role has expanded beyond hotels and represents any professional who handles these types of services, whether in a multi-tenant setting like a hotel or a private, personalized service for individuals.

These professionals usually help guests and customers by assisting them with the following:

• Transportation
• Tickets
• Reservations
• Recommendations for local attractions, dining, and entertainment

A concierge can advance to roles such as chief concierge and guest services manager, which expands their responsibilities and places them in leadership positions.

Sales manager

Sales managers in hospitality help hotels, resorts, or event venues attract customers and increase sales. These professionals are expected to:

• Find new clients
• Build relationships with existing clients
• Negotiate deals
• Promote the business

Hospitality sales managers can advance to roles like director of sales and marketing, often requiring additional training in advanced sales techniques to handle larger responsibilities.

Hotel revenue manager

Revenue managers aim to maximize the revenue of hotels, resorts, and other hospitality businesses by ensuring that pricing strategies and resource allocations align with market demand and profitability goals.

In cooperation with the with sales and marketing teams, these managers are expected to:

• Analyze booking data and demand trends to set room prices
• Implement strategies to optimize room rates and occupancy
• Manage inventory and availability for different market segments
• Prepare revenue forecasts and analyze financial performance

A revenue manager could move into positions like director of revenue management, director of sales, or even a general manager, though it does require additional expertise in financial strategy, leadership, and experience with large-scale operations.

Hotel housekeeping manager

Housekeeping managers oversee the cleanliness and maintenance of guest rooms and public areas within a hotel, ensuring a spotless and welcoming environment for all guests. To keep up with high standards of cleanliness and hygiene, they are expected to:

• Supervise housekeeping staff
• Coordinate room cleaning schedules and staff shifts
• Maintain inventory of cleaning supplies and guest amenities
• Manage guest feedback related to cleanliness and room readiness

After gaining experience in this role, housekeeping managers can advance to the highest position in this particular department, which is that of executive housekeeper.

Additionally, the skills and expertise gained in this role, such as team management and operations coordination, are highly transferable. You can transition into other areas like room division or broader operational leadership roles within the hospitality industry.

Advantages of Having a Hospitality Degree

A degree in hospitality management offers numerous benefits. It opens doors to a variety of roles within the hospitality industry, including those listed above, as well as many others not directly mentioned here. Given that hospitality is one of the largest sectors globally, this degree can lead to international career opportunities such as managing luxury resorts in the Caribbean, working on cruise ships, or coordinating events at global conventions.

Another significant benefit of a hospitality degree is the emphasis on practical experience. For example, students at SHMS have the chance to gain hands-on experience through internships and real-world projects. This practical exposure helps enhance their learning and allows students to understand the inner workings of the industry.

In addition to gaining experience, many roles in hospitality already offer competitive salaries, particularly for those in management positions. With experience, individuals can transition into even higher-paying roles, ensuring a fulfilling and financially rewarding career in the long term.

Synne Gjermundsen Mørk, a student in our Bachelor of Arts degree program, highlights the unique balance SHMS strikes between theory and practice, stating that "the school offers a thorough learning style that is recognized throughout the world because of its emphasis on practical training in addition to a theoretical program." She emphasizes that SHMS prepares students for the real-world challenges they will face in their careers. Through practical experience and the coursework included in the curricula, students develop both technical and non-technical skills relevant to the industry.

A degree in hospitality boosts your credibility, particularly if it comes from an esteemed institution like SHMS, which is globally recognized as one of the top hospitality schools. Our students already have the advantage of studying in Switzerland, a country that has long been at the forefront of the hospitality industry, and they benefit from one of the largest hospitality alumni networks in the world and industry professionals.

As Gjermundsen Mørk notes, "SHMS's multicultural setting is perfect for networking and learning from colleagues worldwide," offering students a major advantage in such an interconnected field.

How to Advance Your Career in Hospitality

Advancing your career in hospitality and going from entry-level positions to management or even all the way to director roles requires a commitment to continuous learning, practical experience, and a proactive approach to professional growth.

One key way to progress is through further education and training. Pursuing a master's degree or specialized certifications can deepen your expertise and open doors to higher-level roles. Additionally, workshops and conferences offer valuable opportunities to learn new skills, stay informed about industry developments, and build connections with professionals in the field.

Gaining hands-on experience is equally important. Continuously seeking opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world settings will help you build a strong foundation for leadership roles. Staying updated with industry trends, such as advancements in technology, sustainability practices, and customer service, ensures you remain competitive and prepared for changes in the industry. By staying committed to learning and evolving, you can continue advancing in your hospitality career.

Is a Hospitality Degree Right for You?

As long as you're interested in a career that centers on people, connecting with them, and delivering exceptional service, then this degree will be right for you as it will lead to exactly that—many options for careers in hospitality.

If that is too broad for you and you want to be sure that this degree option will lead to a future that you will like, then consider the following:

• Do you enjoy meeting new people and building relationships?
• Do you thrive in fast-paced work environments?
• Are you adaptable and able to handle unexpected situations?
• Do you enjoy problem-solving?
• Are you open to working irregular hours and traveling frequently?
• Do you have strong communication and interpersonal skills?
• Are you interested in leadership and managing teams?
• Do you enjoy working in a team-oriented atmosphere?
• Are you excited about opportunities to work globally and across cultures?

Wrapping Up

A degree in hospitality is incredibly versatile in terms of the many opportunities it provides graduates within the hospitality industry itself, as well as the valuable skills that can easily transfer to other sectors. The knowledge and expertise you gain in areas like customer service, management, and event planning can open doors to roles in countless industries, from tourism to corporate leadership.

While there's so much you can achieve with a hospitality degree, a hospitality degree from SHMS takes it a step further. With the unparalleled reputation of SHMS and its strong global network, you're surrounded by the best in the field—just like the five-star service you'll be equipped to provide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between hospitality management and tourism management?

Hospitality management focuses on the operations of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and similar establishments in hospitality, while tourism management is centered on travel experiences, including attractions, tour operators, and transportation.

Are there online programs available for a hospitality degree?

Certainly! There are now more options than ever when it comes to program formats. SHMS also offers online options, like the Master of Arts in Executive Hospitality Management, a flexible learning option for students aiming for leadership roles.

Is it possible to start a career in hospitality without a degree?

Yes, it is possible. However, pursuing a career without a degree typically takes longer to reach leadership positions. With a degree, as you study, you gain valuable qualifications, learn from industry professionals, and acquire hands-on experience so you can advance more quickly in your career.