In the hospitality industry, you'll be required to have strong communication and people skills since you work directly with the public on a daily basis. Of the various careers available in this industry, you might start as a food and beverage service worker, then advance to a job in lodging management. Food and beverage workers do everything from cleaning tables and dishes to preparing and serving food. They take food and drink orders and clear up any problems between customers and the kitchen. Lodging managers oversee the front and back offices of their institution while also monitoring staff. They can also greet customers, answer questions, assign rooms, receive payment and also provide tourist site recommendations.

Some of the possible hospitality positions you could pursue include bartender, housekeeper, manager, waiter or groundskeeper. Hotels often employ concierges to assist guests with selecting restaurants or calling taxis. You could also be a recreation director or work in fitness for resorts and other leisure establishments. Some hotels operate casinos, so you could also find work as a card dealer or other gaming worker. With education and experience, advancement to management and administrative positions may be possible.

The BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) reported that most entry-level service positions do not require a post-secondary degree; however, if you obtain a bachelor's degree you can enhance your advancement opportunities. You can find restaurant and hospitality degree programs at schools around the country. Undergraduate majors include food service, restaurants, lodging and event management. If you pursue a hospitality degree, you can take courses in hospitality finance, marketing and personnel management. If your focus is on food service, courses typically include catering, menu planning and food safety. A culinary degree can put you on the path to becoming a chef. In these programs, you can take courses in baking and pastry arts, nutrition and food sanitation. Culinary arts programs offer a focused curriculum designed to teach you the techniques associated with preparing a range of dishes.

According to the BLS, earnings in hospitality can be lower than in other industries. Many hospitality professionals, such as bellhops and waitresses, are paid in both tips and hourly wages. General maintenance workers earned the highest non-supervisory median wage at approximately $19.64 per hour in 2020, reported by BLS. Lodging managers earned a median of approximately $56,670 in the same year. Your salary could vary significantly depending on your level of education, your job and your location.