Potential Jobs You Can Get With a Hospitality Management Degree

The hotel, restaurant, and tourism management (HRTM) industry is a vibrant and ever-evolving field. HRTM offers great possibilities for individuals passionate about providing exceptional service and creating unforgettable experiences. This field of study is immersed in travel and leisure but can help you apply for restaurant jobs and other business operational support positions, too.

Whether you aspire to manage a luxurious resort, oversee the operations of a renowned restaurant, or coordinate awe-inspiring tourism adventures, an HRTM degree can open doors to an exhilarating and diverse career path.

Start your HRTM degree now and position yourself in a growing field with a projected 7% job growth. New Mexico State University Global Campus offers an online degree program to earn your bachelor’s in hotel, restaurant, and tourism management.

What is Hotel Restaurant Tourism Management?

This dynamic sector includes hotels, resorts, restaurants, event planning, tourism operations, and related services. Hospitality management degrees are designed to train leaders in:

• Customer Service
• Management
• Marketing & Sales
• Personnel Supervision

Plus, so much more. Graduates with this degree can find positions in businesses such as airlines, casinos, cruise ships, festivals, hotels, event planning, and restaurants.

The curriculum in an HRTM program typically covers a comprehensive range of topics, providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in hospitality and management.

This well-rounded education prepares graduates to navigate the complexities of the hospitality world, from understanding guest preferences and trends to optimizing operational efficiency and profitability.

Careers in the Hospitality Industry

What can you do with a hospitality management degree? Some core areas of study in an HRTM program include financial management, human resources, law, and technology – tailored specifically to hospitality and tourism.

Students can also expect to learn about hospitality operations, customer service excellence, marketing and branding strategies, and more. Graduating with a hospitality management degree opens up a wide range of career paths, meaning the sky’s the limit for your job outlook.

Here are some common career paths that students can successfully pursue after graduation:

• Hotel Manager: Oversee the day-to-day operations of a hotel or resort, ensuring exceptional guest experiences, managing staff, and driving profitability.
• Restaurant Manager: Lead the front- and back-of-house operations at a restaurant, managing staff, maintaining quality standards, and creating an inviting dining atmosphere.
• Event Planner: Coordinate and execute memorable events, from corporate meetings and conferences to weddings and social gatherings, ensuring every detail is executed flawlessly.
• Catering Manager: Manage the logistics and operations of catering services, oversee menu planning and staff coordination, and ensure seamless execution for events of all sizes.
• Tourism Coordinator: Promote and market tourism destinations, developing itineraries and experiences that showcase the best a region offers and facilitating seamless travel experiences for visitors.
• Food and Beverage Manager: Oversee the operations of restaurants, bars, and other dining establishments within hotels or resorts, ensuring quality, consistency, and profitability.
• Human Resources Manager (Hospitality): Manage the recruitment, training, and development of staff within the hospitality industry, fostering a positive work culture and ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations.
• Revenue Manager: Analyze market trends and implement pricing strategies to maximize revenue streams for hotels, resorts, or other hospitality establishments.
• Guest Services Manager: Ensure exceptional guest experiences by overseeing front desk operations, resolving issues or concerns, and fostering a culture of outstanding customer service.

This list of careers in hospitality and tourism allows HRTM graduates to utilize their knowledge and skills in customer service, operations management, marketing, finance, and leadership while working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with daily new challenges and opportunities.

Job Outlook and Market Growth for HRTM Degree Holders

The hospitality industry is a vital and ever-growing sector driven by the increasing demand for travel, tourism, and exceptional guest experiences.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that the leisure and hospitality industry will recover most of the jobs it lost during the pandemic, with a growth rate of 23.1% from 2021 to 2031. This is the fastest growth rate among all major sectors and indicates a significant rebound.

As the tourism industry thrives and businesses prioritize delivering exceptional customer experiences, the demand for skilled HRTM professionals will remain strong.

Some specific roles within the hospitality industry are projected to experience even more significant growth, such as lodging managers, with a 7% growth projected from 2022 to 2032, and meeting, convention, and event planners, whose growth is expected to be 8%.

These growth projections highlight the career opportunities available for those with a bachelor’s in hotel, restaurant, and tourism management.

Types of Industries for Hospitality Degree Earners

With a bachelor’s in hotel, restaurant, and tourism management from a respected institution like NMSU Global Campus, students can explore different industries they’d like to specialize in, such as culinary arts, destination management, hotel operations, travel, or even sales and marketing.

This degree’s versatility opens doors to diverse opportunities across multiple local and international sectors. Some potential industries for HRTM graduates to look into include:

Hotels and Resorts

From luxurious five-star properties to budget-friendly accommodations, hotels and resorts always need skilled professionals to manage operations, ensure guest satisfaction, and drive profitability.

Restaurants and Food Service Establishments

Whether it’s a fine dining establishment, a casual eatery, or a catering company, HRTM graduates can thrive in roles such as restaurant managers, food and beverage directors, and culinary operations managers.

Event Planning Companies

With a keen eye for detail and excellent organizational skills, HRTM graduates can excel in event planning firms, coordinating and executing memorable corporate events, weddings, conferences, and social gatherings.

Travel and Tourism Agencies

As hospitality and tourism management experts, HRTM graduates can contribute their knowledge and skills to travel agencies, develop itineraries, promote destinations, and ensure seamless travel experiences for clients.

Cruise Lines

The cruise industry offers a unique and exciting environment for HRTM professionals, with opportunities to manage onboard operations, guest services, and entertainment offerings.

Casinos and Entertainment Venues

HRTM graduates can find rewarding careers in the vibrant world of casinos and entertainment venues, from overseeing hotel operations to managing restaurants, event spaces, and entertainment offerings.

Hospitality Consulting Firms

With their expertise in hospitality management, HRTM graduates can provide valuable consulting services to hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses, helping them optimize operations, enhance guest experiences, and drive profitability.

Corporate Hospitality Departments

Many large corporations have dedicated hospitality departments to manage corporate events, travel arrangements, and guest experiences, offering HRTM graduates the opportunity to apply their skills in a corporate setting.

From hotel management to event planning and beyond, an HRTM degree equips graduates with the skills to pursue a fulfilling career in the dynamic hospitality and tourism industry.

Do You Need a Degree to Work in Hospitality? What Are the Benefits?

While it is possible to enter the hospitality industry without a formal degree, earning a bachelor’s in hotel, restaurant, and tourism management offers numerous advantages that can set you apart and propel your career to new heights:

1. Specialized Knowledge: HRTM programs provide in-depth knowledge of hospitality operations, management principles, customer service strategies, and industry-specific regulations. This specialized education gives you a competitive edge, equipping you with the tools and insights necessary to navigate the complexities of the hospitality world.
2. Career Advancement: A bachelor’s degree in HRTM is often a prerequisite for managerial and leadership roles within the hospitality industry. Earning this credential opens doors to higher-level positions, increased earning potential, and more significant career growth and advancement opportunities.
3. Hands-on Experience: Many HRTM programs, like the one at NMSU Global Campus, incorporate internships, practicums, and real-world experiences into their curriculum. These practical components allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings, gain valuable industry exposure, and develop the skills you need to hit the ground running upon graduation.
4. Industry Connections: Universities often have solid partnerships and relationships with leading hospitality organizations, providing students with valuable networking opportunities, internships, and job placements. These connections can be invaluable as you launch your career in the hospitality industry.

Earn a bachelor’s in hotel, restaurant, and tourism management to become a highly qualified and sought-after professional in the hospitality industry. Explore the HRTM degree requirements to discover how this program can help you meet your professional goals.

This degree opens doors to opportunities for those passionate about providing exceptional service and creating unforgettable experiences. With various career paths available and promising job growth projections, pursuing this degree equips you with the skills and connections you need to succeed in this dynamic industry. 

Discover a fulfilling HRTM career path at NMSU Global Campus.