Students of hospitality enjoy a wide range of options for developing a specialty that distinguishes them from the pack. Examples of hospitality specialties include culinary arts, hotel management, casino management, banquet management and hotel-reservations coordination. Make sure the school you choose will allow you to delve deeper into your chosen hospitality specialty, both with classes and hands-on experiences.
With more than 800 hospitality programs available to students in the United States, finding the right school may seem like a daunting task. But schools that teach key skills in technology, human resources and leadership should immediately move to the top of your list. In addition, a school that instills an appreciation for other cultures gets additional points, since you will be dealing with all different kinds of people no matter the hospitality profession you choose.
The hospitality industry, especially hospitality management, requires good organization skills, the ability to properly manage money and keep good financial records for a business, and strong people skills. Hospitality schools will allow you to cultivate and strengthen these skills so you can fit seamlessly into an established operation or venture out on your own. These skills are important--especially for those studying to be chefs because they will be working with restaurant owners, become a partner in a restaurant venture, or own their own establishments.
Your education doesn't have to stop after you graduate from your hospitality program. Often, students who aspire to take management roles in their chosen hospitality field will elect to continue their education in a management-specific program. In addition, professionals who have been in the field for a number of years will choose to go back to school to brush up on their skills or apply them to a different area of the hospitality industry.