Hospitality and Tourism: Great Degrees for Portable Careers
Hospitality and Tourism: A Great Degree for a Portable Career
A Degree in Hospitality and Tourism can open doors to an exciting career with excellent pay. Hospitality and Tourism can be a very portable career field as job opportunities can be found across all 50 states and overseas.
What can you do with a Degree in Hospitality and Tourism?
Hospitality and Tourism careers include exciting and profitable jobs in:
- Hotels
- Vacation Resorts
- Recreational Vehicle Parks
- Recreational Camps
- Rooming and Boarding Houses
- Performing Arts Centers
- Spectator Sports Organizations
- Museums
- Casinos
- Amusement Parks
- Historical Sites
A Degree in Hospitality and Tourism can even provide opportunities to work for yourself by starting your own business such as running a vacation property or working as a hospitality consultant. A Hospitality and Tourism Degree is available as an associate degree, bachelor’s, or a master’s. There are also a variety of certifications available such as industry education in hospitality fundamentals and operations, or food and beverage management.
Is a Hospitality and Tourism Degree hard?
A Degree in Hospitality and Tourism is not hard! Earning a Hospitality and Tourism Degree will qualify the recipient for a wide variety of jobs across many businesses. This is an especially great career path for military spouses as they are certain to secure excellent job opportunities across their many moves. Don’t forget about the MyCAA Program for military spouses; for more info click here.
Getting a Degree in Hospitality and Tourism
Associate Degree in Hospitality and Tourism
An Associate Degree in Hospitality and Tourism is a great starting point for those interested in careers in hotel management or tourism. Don’t forget to look for certificate programs from reputable sources. Certifications can offer a student an opportunity to fast track their education about the hospitality industry while working and gaining on-the-job knowledge to complement their academics. Certifications from educational institutions (such as the hospitality programs through Cornell and Florida Atlantic University) are more esteemed and desired by employers than certifications from private, for-profit organizations. Don’t forget that the GI Bill can be used for non-degree seeking programs through approved institutions.
Jobs with an Associate Degree in Hospitality and Tourism
- Travel Agent– sell transportation, lodging, and entertainment activities to individuals and groups planning trips. Median annual salary: $41,000.
- First-Line Supervisor of Gambling Services Workers– directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers in assigned gambling areas. Median annual salary: $52,000.
- Food Service Manager– responsible for the daily operation of restaurants or other establishments that prepare and serve food and beverages. Median annual salary: $60,000.
Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism
Students can earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism and choose a specialty focus such as hotel management, marketing and sales, or food and beverage. A Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism will open doors and opportunities for supervisory positions and a significant pay raise from an associate degree.
Jobs you can obtain with a Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Tourism include:
- Event Planner– coordinate all aspects of events and professional meetings. Median annual salary: $51,000.
- Lodging Manager– ensure that traveling guests have a pleasant experience at the establishment and ensure that the business is run efficiently and profitably. Median annual salary: $63,000.
- Gaming Manager– plan, direct, and coordinate gaming operations in a casino. Median annual salary: $85,000.
Master’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism
Those earning a Master’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism are well prepared to be leaders in their careers and related fields. When earning a master’s degree one can continue in their current career path with additional earning power, undertake leadership roles, or transition into teaching.
- Postsecondary Teacher- instructor for hospitality programs. Average annual salary: $74,000.
- Destination Marketing Manager– responsible for drawing people to a destination. Target groups (including locals and international travelers) through promotional materials (such as newspaper and tv ads). Median annual salary: $110,000.
- Amusement Park Operations Manager– plan, direct, and coordinate the operations of the organization. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources. Median annual salary: $123,000.
Is a Hospitality and Tourism Degree worth it?
Absolutely, a Degree in Hospitality and Tourism is worth it! Any degree is worth it; however, Hospitality and Tourism Degrees are especially amazing. They are fun to earn, fun to use, and provide the graduate with a fantastic portable career!
Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs
Ready to earn your Degree in Hospitality and Tourism?
Check out these great programs. Some schools have paid for promotional consideration.
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Offers a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management with a wide variety of concentrations including: Gaming, Event Design, PGA Management, Beverage, and Human Resource. UNLV also offers a fully online Executive Master of Hospitality Administration. University of Nevada Las Vegas is a Yellow Ribbon school.
Offers a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Hospitality. University of Southern Maine is a Yellow Ribbon school.
Offers an Associate of Science in Hospitality Management.
Offers a Certificate in Hospitality Management, a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Event Management, and a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Bethune-Cookman University
Offers a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. Bethune-Cookman is a premier historically black university that participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Central Washington University
Offers a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management with either a specialization in Hospitality Management, Tourism Management or Event Management. Although CWU does not participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, the school does offer tuition waiver opportunities. These opportunities include The Veteran of Foreign Conflict Waiver and The Veteran Dependent Waiver.
Kansas State University
Offers a fully online Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management and a fully online Master’s in Hospitality Administration. Kansas State University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Southern Connecticut State University
Offers a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies with concentrations in tourism, hospitality, and event management. Southern Connecticut State University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
*All average annual salaries adapted and calculated from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. For more information click here.
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