What are some career options for someone who just graduated tourism and hospitality management outside of hotels?

10 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 27,2023 at 2:28AM UTC

   Please consult your education institution’s career placement services.

2. AnonymousAugust 28,2023 at 12:38PM UTC

   Check out jobs at non-profit associations and events, conference and meeting planning organizations. Some corporations have travel or meeting departments. Also look at lical travel and tourism/visitors bureaus. Check out the ASAEcenter.org (center for association leadership) job posting center.

3. AnonymousAugust 28,2023 at 12:58PM UTC

   Restaurants and/or casinos might be possibilities, as would be government organizations (state, city, national) that promote tourism.

   You also might want to consider marketing or sales positions that relate to tourism or hospitality -- that is companies that sell goods and/or services to the tourism or hospitality industries.

   Consulting companies that help hotels improve their operations is yet another possibility.

   I like the suggestion that you consult the educational institution that granted your degree. Speak to your instructors, too.

4. AnonymousAugust 28,2023 at 5:36PM UTC

   Check your chamber of commerce website they should list businesses in good standing in your area that could fit what you are seeking. They often segment the lists into categories so you might find it useful to view it that way. Also check professional associations for similar lists to peruse.

5. Lynn WilliamsAugust 28,2023 at 10:32PM UTC

   Visitor bureaus and event management companies are other options to consider. Vacation ownership - don't rule it out! There are so many opportunities within this sector.

6. AnonymousAugust 29,2023 at 12:27PM UTC

   All of the above are great options, but I graduated in a similar position 15 years ago and have been with the same country club ever since. I absolutely love the club industry and started as Special Events Assistant and quickly moved into membership sales and have been able to experience a little of everything in between. I think some sort of membership/member relations role would be a wonderful start or in the F&B/events world if that is more your style. There is so much support with CMAA and other organizations. And it's not the "old boys club" like it was all that long ago, even when I was in college.

7. AnonymousAugust 29,2023 at 1:15PM UTC

   Market analysis and industry research consulting.

8. Lynn WilliamsAugust 29,2023 at 10:29PM UTC

   Yield Management!

9. EMILY KIKUE FRANKAugust 29,2023 at 1:55PM UTC

   I think we often make too big a connection between undergrad major and career path. Yes, if you studied hospitality, you can go into hospitality, but you can also go into loads of other things if you're willing to start at entry-level. (Which is true even within your major-- even MBAs don't immediately go to CEO roles.) So expand your thought process. What do you enjoy doing? Your skills will probably translate once you know what you want.

10. AnonymousAugust 29,2023 at 6:17PM UTC

    Thank you for this. I needed to hear this too. But, what if I don’t know what I want to do yet?