<p>I have definitely read differing opinions on this subject, some say if you want to really enter the HOSPITALITY world, it is necessary to have a degree in HOSPITALITY. On the other hand, I have read (on other posts of mine on a similar subject) that a lot of hotels and businesses related to the Hospitality sector are hiring people that have degrees in say, Marketing. I, for the longest time, have thought that in order to pursue my dreams of traveling, eating awesome food, and being around people all the time, I would have to get a degree in business. This was because at the time I thought it was, unfortunately, the closest i could get to achieving these dreams of mine, recently I have discovered Hospitality, and to me it seems to be the PERFECT degree. But I am not sure if it is as practical as it may seem to me, at the same time though, I feel that it is a degree that is "what you make of it." Do you agree? Any personal anecdotes? All input is appreciated!</p>
<p>I was about to ask the same question… I’m applying to colleges & while UCF, BU, & NYU are my top choices, I’d probably choose others for business (I could never get into Stern, lol). I KNOW I want to work in a hotel- it’s not like I’ll change my mind a year after I graduate and want to do something else business related. That’s why I think hospitality is the way to go. On the other hand, I have to be realistic, and if I won’t get a job with a hospitality degree, I could probably open more doors with a business degree…
Anyway, sorry I don’t have an answer, just wanted to let you know you’re not the only one struggling with this decision…</p>
<p>There are some questions you need to answer for yourself (I don’t know the answers, as I’m not a business major):</p>
<ol>
<li>Will a hospitality degree put you at a disadvantage if you’re trying to get a job that is not at a hotel?</li>
<li>Will a business degree put you at a disadvantage if you’re trying to get a job at a hotel?</li>
</ol>
<p>I personally think the answer to #1 is yes, and the answer to #2 is no.</p>
<p>No specific degree is going to get you that dream job. It’ll be a combination of luck, timing, experience, and connections. Of course you want to travel to nice places, eat awesome food, and meet cool people. Join the club. Thats why its not easy and rarely happens. Thats why theres no specific degree for it. Its like the people who say they wanna be a GM for a professional sports team and major in sports management, and end up doing PR for a high school baseball team.</p>
<p>I think this can be asked (in relation to hospitality) in another way: be the person educated in the type of business vs be the person educated in business itself.</p>
<p>One of my closer friends received a degree in Hospitality and Tourism a couple yeas ago and is working as a program coordinator at a youth rec center. The same place that they were interning for their last couple years of college gave her the position as full time once she graduated. So they basically run the front end of things at the rec center. Can this person help the center in-depth to cut costs, raise profits/revenues, and work their budget or tax filings? Most definitely not. Can they put together a great educational and entertaining program for the youth based on a theme? Yeah.</p>
<p>But the rec center will need both types of poeple. For example, there will need to be someone at a hotel that leads the shift of front line employees (the ones that interact with the customers the most) assisting and guiding those employees on the best practices and procedures to create the best possible hospitable and welcoming environment for the hotel. There will also need to be someone who tells that manager/shift lead what to do and what to tell the other employees on how to save costs related to the business of the hotel. I suppose it may be just what part of the hospitality sector they’d like to be included in. So, what kind of positions specifically do you want to be available and considered for? This particular rec center job doesn’t pay them very much, but I think it was the best offer they had after graduating and they haven’t found anything better in a couple years - if that means anything at all.</p>
<p>
^And I agree with this.</p>