Unlike other fields, the hospitality industry will never face decline. There is no question of unemployment in this programme; it is a flourishing industry and there will always be demand for the right type of person with the right type of attitude. Tourism is growing tremendously. Once in six months there is an addition of a hotel. Hotel management institutions play a vital role to cater to the manpower needs.
Roles
Career growth is abundant for students who pursue hotel management programmes. A hotel constitutes four major departments — food production, food and beverage service, front office and housekeeping. Bakery and confectionery come under food production One can choose among these. Those who have innovative ideas and strong physique can choose food production. Those with a positive attitude and a smile on his/her face even after the 12th hour of duty, may fit in service departments. It may be front office, food and beverage service or housekeeping.
Through front office, lots of guest interaction happens; this is the first department that comes in contact with the guest. The entry-level positions in this department may be front office associates who can grow into front office managers. The housekeeping department provides cosy accommodation to guests. The entry-level positions in this department will be housekeeping associates who can grow into executive housekeepers. Food and beverage service takes care of the service of food in fine-dining restaurants and beverages in bars. The entry-level positions in this department are food and beverage service associates who can grow into food and beverage managers. Hotel management students are not confined to jobs in hotels alone. The knowledge of nutrition helps them take up jobs in hospitals as dieticians.
Public sector undertakings like the Tourism Development Corporation provides jobs as managers in its hotel chains. The food outlets of the multinational companies also have opportunities for hotel management students. They offer jobs as executives.
Students become multilingual by availing chances to learn international languages during their course of study. Earning in foreign currencies may not be far-fetched for hospitality management student. One or two years of experience in the trade opens the gates to go abroad.
This course gives students the mental strength and competence to become business owners —not only in our country but also abroad. To go abroad, one does not require a rigorous writing of examinations and other related formalities prevailing in other professions. They need one or two years of experience and the relevant certificates from a reputed hotel. Those with passion for teaching, can get jobs after gaining a few years of experience in the hotel management industry.
Openings for hotel management students are available in the army also. To pursue hotel management course one may need to complete Plus Two examinations or equivalent. They may opt for commerce, computer science, or biology group. Group is immaterial. Any subject will make one eligible to join a hotel management course. Students need to carefully choose the institution by looking into whether it is competent to award certificates.
The author is a senior professor at VIT University, Vellore, with more than 35 years of experience in hospitality management.
