Careers in hospitality: A roadmap for supportive parents

Is your child a future chef? Were they born with cruise director energy? Maybe they've always loved running a good lemonade stand. Whatever the case, if you're the parent of a child or teen interested in pursuing a career in hospitality, there are plenty of ways you can support and guide them on their journey.

The bright future of hospitality careers

The hospitality sector is on a trajectory of growth, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting about 1.9 million new jobs by 2030. This growth is a testament to the industry's resilience and the increasing demand for skilled professionals who can create exceptional customer experiences. 

A quick rundown of careers in hospitality

Before we dive into tips for how to support your child’s interests, let's take a quick look at some of the exciting career paths available in the hospitality industry. From hotels and resorts to cruise ships and restaurants, there are endless opportunities to explore.

Hotel management: Orchestrating unforgettable guest experiences

Discover the dynamic role of hotel management, where overseeing all aspects of hotel operations, from guest services to finance, plays a pivotal role in creating exceptional stays for guests.

Your child may be perfect for guest experiences if they’re:

• Personable and attentive to others’ needs

• Detail-oriented and organized

• Adaptable in fast-paced environments

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Culinary arts: Where food meets creativity

From crafting mouth-watering dishes to leading a kitchen team, culinary arts offers an exciting career path for food enthusiasts. It requires skill, creativity, and a love for constantly experimenting, learning, and perfecting new techniques.

Let's look at some traits that may make your child a future chef:

• Passionate about cooking and trying new foods

• Creative and innovative in the kitchen

• Able to handle high-pressure situations

Event planning: Turning dreams into reality

If your child has a knack for organizing, coordinating, and creating memorable events, event planning may be the perfect career path for them. From weddings and conferences to concerts and festivals, there's never a dull moment in this fast-paced field.

Does your child have the makings of an event planner?

• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail

• Great communicator and team player

• Creative problem solver

• Enjoys party planning and decorating

Hospitality marketing: The art of selling experiences

Behind every successful hospitality business is an effective marketing strategy. From creating enticing promotions to building brand awareness, this career path allows professionals to use their creativity and analytical skills to drive business growth.

Consider whether your child may have a knack for hospitality marketing:

• Creative and strategic thinker

• Skilled in communicating and connecting with target audiences

• Analytical and able to track and interpret market trends

Food and beverage service: Crafting memorable dining experiences

Step into the world of food and beverage service, where working in restaurants or bars involves serving and interacting with customers, shaping memorable dining experiences with every interaction.

Your child may thrive in this role if they:

• Enjoy connecting with people and providing exceptional service

• Have a good memory for orders and menus

• Can handle fast-paced, high-pressure environments

• Excel at grace under pressure and quick thinking

Travel and tourism: Crafting unforgettable journeys

In the world of travel and tourism, planning and managing travel experiences for individuals or groups opens doors to crafting unforgettable journeys filled with exploration and adventure.

If your child has these qualities, they may be well-suited for a career in travel and tourism:

• Passionate about traveling and exploring new cultures

• Excellent communication skills

• Detail-oriented and able to manage logistics efficiently

Recreation and leisure: Shaping fun-filled experiences

Creating fun and engaging activities for guests, often in vacation resorts or recreational centers, shapes unforgettable experiences of joy and relaxation.

See if your child has what it takes to work in recreation and leisure:

• Outgoing and energetic with a passion for entertaining others

• Creative and able to come up with engaging activities

• Organized and able to manage multiple tasks at once

Cruise ship careers: Sailing toward adventure

For those who love the open seas, a career on a cruise ship offers the chance to travel to new destinations while working in various roles such as guest services, entertainment, or food and beverage.

Consider whether your child may excel in a cruise ship career:

• Loves and wants to travel

• Adventurous and open to living and working on a ship

• Able to handle long hours and fast-paced environments

• Customer-service oriented with great communication skills

Customer service and guest relations: Nurturing exceptional experiences

As the frequent face of a hospitality business, customer service helps ensure customer satisfaction and handles inquiries or concerns, nurturing exceptional experiences with every interaction.

Your child may succeed in this role if they have these qualities:

• Friendly and personable with great communication skills

• Attentive to customer needs and able to handle inquiries or concerns calmly

• Able to multitask and remain calm under pressure

• Skilled at navigating different personalities and priorities

Facilities management: Fostering comfort and efficiency

Dive into facilities management, where overseeing the maintenance and operations of physical spaces within the hospitality sector fosters comfort and efficiency, ensuring seamless experiences for guests and staff alike.

See if your child may thrive in facilities management:

• Detail-oriented with a knack for problem-solving

• Able to manage and coordinate multiple tasks and projects

• Technologically savvy with an interest in building maintenance and operations

Being a supportive parent goes a long way

Your role in this adventure? You can be the chief cheerleader, the sage advisor, and the occasional snack provider. Encourage your child to dip their toes into different ponds – internships, job shadowing, mentorship programs – to find what lights up their eyes. Guide them toward courses and experiences that sharpen their chosen tools, be it in business management, customer service, or the culinary arts.

Whether your child dreams of managing a luxury resort or becoming a culinary artist, the industry promises a path for just about anyone.