Hospitality

Hospitality majors learn how to run businesses that serve travelers, such as hotels, restaurants, convention centers and resorts. They learn how to plan and deliver hospitality services, as well as how to manage finances, personnel, and clients. Hospitality is a combination of business management, service provision, and consumer behavior. Majors take business-related courses, such as management principles, hospitality finance, and marketing planning, to learn business practices and procedures. Courses concerning service provision cover topics like food service operations and beverage control management. Other courses are related to consumer behavior, such as global tourism geography, culture of travel and tourism, and customer relations for hospitality enterprises. Majors may also take courses that cover topics such as resort operations, event management, and facilities design.

A degree in hospitality can prepare individuals for careers in the areas of customer service, event planning, corporate administration, human resources and management. Hospitality majors can pursue careers as restaurant managers, facilities and event planners, franchise owners, travel agents, and hospitality coordinators. Employment opportunities are typically available at conference centers, restaurants, resorts, hotels, country clubs, and travel companies. Outgoing individuals with strong communication skills and a passion for serving others should consider pursuing a major in hospitality. A degree in this field might also interest detailed planners who enjoy problem solving and constantly being challenged.