In this post, we have outlined just a few of the job opportunities that our hospitality management graduates can pursue. These jobs have been sorted by the following industries:

• Guest Relations
• Food and Beverage
• Tourism
• Event Planning
• Entertainment and Leisure

Keep in mind that the job possibilities listed are not the only hospitality-related occupations you can pursue, as they are ever-changing and progress is based on current trends, outlooks and more.

“The hospitality program at Kent State helped me not only to achieve my goals for my career but also to find my career path. After multiple meetings with Dr. Scheule, she helped me discover that the casino route was perfect for me and helped me land my practicum with Hard Rock Northfield (now MGM Northfield). I ended up working my way through 5 different roles which in turn gave me the credentials and experience to land a job in Las Vegas, the capital of gaming and hospitality. I currently work for Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, one of the most successful MGM properties on the strip as a VIP Host Services Coordinator and on my way to become a Marketing Executive for national marketing for the company! I graduated December 2017!”

– Vince Sidoti
VIP Host Services Coordinator, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

Hospitality Jobs in Guest Relations

Guest relations is a customer-service oriented sector for those who like to interact and work with people. These careers can be found in many different industries, although they are primarily seen within hotel management.

• Front Office Manager – Front office managers can have many day-to-day duties, including overseeing employees, maintaining guest accounts, coordinating hotel sales and more
• Directors of Housekeeping – Commonly seen in hotels, directors of housekeeping can be expected to oversee the cleanliness and appearances of the hotel, control labor costs, and maintain supplies, among other related responsibilities
• Sommelier – Sommeliers can be hired within high-end hotels or restaurants as experts of fine wine. They may be able to recommend wine and food pairings, help chefs create up-to-date wine listings for their establishment, or promote wine-based events

Hospitality Jobs in the Food and Beverage Industry

The food and beverage industry is divided into two major segments: production and the distribution of edible goods. Related to hospitality, food and beverage occupations can be found in settings such as restaurants, breweries, event centers, and more.

• Restaurant Manager – To ensure the restaurant is operating efficiently, restaurant managers can be hired to oversee a variety of restaurant types – from local taverns to high-end restaurants and fine-dining establishments specializing in international cuisine
• Catering Assistant – A catering assistant may work directly for a catering company, in-house at a restaurant, or at a hotel to arrange bookings, oversee production and more
• Sous Chef – Another job pertaining to the food and beverage industry is that of a sous chef, which is a second-in-command role within a kitchen. A sous chef reports to the head chef and oversees various meal preparations and kitchen operations

Hospitality Jobs in Tourism Management

Hospitality management is one aspect of tourism management that provides diverse opportunities for recent graduates. Job roles such as a cruise ship director and flight attendant can take you around the world, but if you prefer a hospitality career that has a consistent home base, below are three relevant suggestions:

• Travel Agent – A travel agent will research and plan trips for individuals, couples, and groups. This process may entail finding hotels, booking excursions and sharing deals on flights
• Tour Guide – Tour guides prepare itineraries and offer private or public tours of popular towns, museums, historical sights or other areas of interest. Tour guides often have extensive knowledge on individual locales and are able to answer questions that pertain to their specific tour
• Marketing and Public Relations – A career in Marketing and PR can be connected to both hospitality and tourism based upon the needs of the industry. Marketing and Public Relations are important to a destination because a positive name in the press can impact the number of people traveling to a touristy town, hotel or other sightseeing area

Hospitality Jobs in Event Planning

Event planning is another key area of hospitality that involves hands-on organization and interaction. Traits of successful professionals with jobs in event planning may include being flexible, working within a budget, and having a propensity for multitasking.

• In-House Event Planner – Event planners can be involved in every aspect of an event, including booking clients, having regular meetings, problem solving event details, and arranging the post-event clean-up
• Conference Organizer – These types of organizers can be hired in-house by a venue to arrange seating, keynote speaker necessities, day-of itineraries and more for a conference, trade show, expo or other event
• Bridal Consultant – Bridal consultants, or wedding planners, can be hired to oversee multiple aspects of a wedding and reception, from assistance in finding a venue to creating seating charts. These consultants may have versatile day-to-day schedules

Hospitality Jobs in the Entertainment and Leisure Industries

The entertainment and leisure industries can perhaps be intertwined with some of those already mentioned above. For instance, it is common for sources of entertainment to spike in tourist towns such as Las Vegas or New York City. Some jobs that both sectors may be looking to employ include:

• Casino Host – Casino hosts work with a casino to ensure customer satisfaction. Some of the day-to-day duties of these hosts may include getting to know regular customers and offering various incentives to ensure their casino experience is positive and that they return
• Spa Director – Spas can contribute to leisure and relaxation for guests around the world. Spa directors may oversee scheduling and appointments, maintain inventory and more
• Theme Park Manager – Theme parks come with more than just rides and roller coasters, thus making it essential to have managers keeping them up and running. These employees can book shows, plan promotional events and more

Interested in the Hospitality Management Program at Kent State? Reach Out to Our Team Today!

The hospitality industry as a whole is approaching its 10th consecutive year of growth since the economic recession of 2008. This could lead to new job opportunities for professionals in the industry around the world from all sectors of the industry.