What can I do with a degree in Hospitality Management?

Thinking of studying Hospitality Management? Wondering what you can do with a degree specialising in Hospitality?

The growth of global tourism has ensured that hospitality is now one of the world’s biggest industries with a broad range of job opportunities available in every country. While it is relatively easy to get a job in hospitality, a fulfilling career in hospitality management requires knowledge at an advanced level to get that promotion you deserve.

“Getting a bachelor degree has become almost a necessity for those that are serious about a career in hospitality management and, although there are exceptions, it is most common for hospitality managers to have studied hotel or hospitality management. So study is essential for the sustainability and longevity of your career,” leading industry expert Dr Stuart Wiggins of ICMS said.

So what can you do with a degree in Hospitality Management? The question could almost be, what can’t you do in this diverse industry with multiple entry points?

A career-focused hospitality management degree is your boarding pass, your room key and your VIP ticket to managerial level roles.

Find your career in the hospitality sector that suits you

The hospitality industry can be carved up into sectors, each with a wide range of roles.

* Food and Beverage (F&B) Industry

Related to hospitality, F&B includes fine dining, family dining, leisure dining and casual dining, from cafés and restaurants to coffee shops, in-hotel restaurants and more. Other examples include outdoor eateries, food chains, delis and catering companies.

How does a degree help with F&B?

Within the ICMS Bachelor of Hospitality Management, a whole subject, Food and Beverage Service (HOS201A) is dedicated to preparing you to master the delivery of an unforgettable dining experience.

The subject of Gastronomy (HOS230A) will give you a broad understanding of food and drink in its historical, cultural and functional forms, and be able to understand and analyse how the production and consumption of food and drinks has been affected by globalising processes.

Bar and Mixology (HOS202A) is both a practical and theoretical subject, where you will be able to Design a beverage based on sensory perception, venue and clientele, and tell the difference between beverages based on their type, production method, region and flavour profile. Whether serving alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, being an expert in mixology sets the bar for career behind any bar in the world.

Some examples of Food and Beverage Career opportunities:  

Restaurant Manager

Food and Beverage Director

Bar/Cocktail Manager

Catering Manager

Banquet Manager

* Lodging Industry

Since travel has become commonplace, for work and leisure, there will always be a need for people to rest their weary heads. Examples within the lodging industry include hotels, motels, villas, resorts, bed and breakfast and even long term rentals.

From opulent and luxurious to convenient, rustic and affordable, entry points into the lodging aspect of the hospitality industry are innumerable.

How does a degree help with the Lodging sector of hospitality?

The ICMS Bachelor of Hospitality Management not only covers core business subjects, but also provides practical insight into running a hotel. This makes it perfect for aspiring hotel managers who need to understand the skills required to successfully oversee hotel operations. The emphasis on front office, housekeeping and security will enable you to rise swiftly through the ranks in any accommodation establishment.

Another subject, Hotel Management Simulation (HOS301A) uses a learning simulation the Hotel Operations, Tactics and Strategy (HOTS) simulation, which is concerned with developing skills for managing people, operations and business in hotels and hospitality companies. The subject incorporates the application of key aspects of marketing, service management, financial management, revenue management and business development within a hospitality context.

Some examples of Lodging Career Opportunities:

Hotel Manager

Concierge

Accommodation Manager

Hotel Sales and Marketing

Guest Relations Manager

Resort and Spa Manager

* Recreation, Travel and Tourism Industry

Hospitality is an important and vital part of any recreation, travel or tourism entity.

Travel on a global scale continues to explode as airlines make hopping from one country’s attractions to the next as easy as booking a flight.

Where there are tourists, there are hospitality opportunities and careers can be made providing good service to memory-makers.

How does a degree help in the Recreation, Travel and Tourism sector of hospitality?

The ICMS Bachelor of Hospitality Management offers Introduction to Tourism, hospitality and Events (THE101A) as a subject in your first year of study which is useful when deciding whether this is the career direction you want to take. The subject provides a solid introduction to the key concepts and terminology, stakeholders and relationship, innovation, current trends and management issues as a foundation upon which to build further knowledge of the sector.

If this is indeed the career direction you want to take, in the third year of the ICMS Bachelor of Hospitality Management is the subject Service and Experience Management (HOS302A). You will learn all about the experience economy – which is where customers (such as tourists and thrill seekers) find value and are retained through the provision of intangible, memorable experiences.

It’s no longer just a product you’re offering, but the unique experience they will never forget.

Some examples of career options in Recreation, Travel and Tourism:

Airline Operations Manager

Theme Park Manager

Art Exhibition Manager

Museum Curator

* Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) Industry

If you are more interested in the corporate side of hospitality management, a degree will enable you to secure a managerial role in the ever-growing MICE industry.

Now that the days of Covid-era zoom meetings are numbered, industry leaders are returning in their droves to conference venues and meeting physically in one place once again.

Hospitality industry professionals work together with event managers to transform these meetings into seamless experiences for the exchange of ideas and to encourage communication between delegates.

A great resource for those wanting to enter the MICE sector of the hospitality industry is micenet, available in digital and print format, offering industry professionals a platform to share news, announcements, facts and comments, opinions, inspiration and ideas about the industry.

Some examples of career options in MICE:

Conference Centre Manager

Business Event Manager

Exhibition Manager

Not sure yet what sector of hospitality you want to enter?

With a broad Hospitality Management Degree like the ICMS Bachelor of Hospitality Management, you will graduate with a well-rounded understanding of all sectors, from F&B to Lodging, Recreation and Travel and Tourism. Industry-specific subjects such as those explained above, are delivered together with core business subjects, so you get a feel for what area interests you most.

Integrated into every ICMS degree is an internship of up to 600 hours as part of the higher education institution’s Work Integrated Learning Program (WIL).

In the context of hospitality, this means you will complete industry training at any one of ICMS’ hospitality industry partners, graduating with relevant work experience on your CV. Industry partners include hotels such as Hilton Hotel and Resorts, Four Seasons, Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts, Marriott, Meriton Suites, Sofitel Luxury Hotels, The Star Entertainment group among others.

For more information on the ICMS Bachelor of Hospitality Management, click here.