If You Want to See the World Choose the Hospitality Profession

I realize that nearly the entire planet has been discovered and we cannot turn back the clock and be like Christopher Columbus and find a new continent just like that , but working in the Hospitality Industry you can do your own exploring when it comes time to choosing your place to work. It almost always never turns out as you plan it but the experience helps you grow in so many ways. First it helps you understand how other people live and gives you a sense of accomplishment when overcoming challenges that most people would not be willing to go through. Sort of like Columbus would have gone through when he crossed the ocean back in 1492.

One example for me happened back in 1990. I had just returned from Switzerland having completed my two years there and was eager to return back to Europe any way I could. Finding out about a UK Grandparent Visa which allowed grandchildren of UK descent to work there , I mailed away for a photocopy birth certificate of one of them so I could apply for a visa. It took in all quite a bit of time to obtain the visa so when I flew to London I had only about 600 British pounds on me and three suitcases.

Brimming with confidence I thought I had it all figured out. There was a trade magazine I knew of that was packed with hotel and restaurant jobs. I figured as soon as the jet landed I would find a Bed and Breakfast in London , make a few phone calls and set up some interviews and by week's end have myself a great job. The jet landed early in the morning so when I grabbed my three heavy bags I was really in no mood to shop for the most economical place to stay nor take the Tube. A taxi would do just fine , thank you.

On the tourist board there was a list of Bed and Breakfast establishments around the Paddington station area so I jumped into a taxi and wouldn't you know it but the taxi ride cost me about 40 pounds. The one thing I should have calculated was how expensive the UK was compared to Canada! Almost a tenth of what I had gone in a taxi ride.

I cannot remember off hand what the B and B was per night but it was not Buckingham Palace. A funny thing happened one night when the inn was robbed. Someone had managed to steal and replicate the master key to all the rooms. When the robber was making the rounds he opened up my locked door and woke me up. He excused himself and said he had the wrong room and closed the door. I thought nothing of it and went back to sleep. Next morning I heard the news many rooms were robbed.

The 600 pounds went like that as England was a lot more expensive than I thought it was and the jobs were not as quickly found as I first thought they would be. I ended up working in Ashford Kent at a hotel that was opening to take advantage of the Chunnel that was being built at the time and the business it would bring. It was an exciting opportunity as an Assistant Conference and Banqueting Manager to train a new staff and help during it's launch.

Subsequently I was able to help out in the Dining Room afterwards but the real reward was having gone through something unforgettable. I only spent up to 6 months there as I was completely broke having started at the hotel living off a credit card. But to start with just a destination and not knowing what could really transpire was something that someone who is single , living out of a suitcase , and with a plane ticket could only experience.

I wouldn't recommend it for the faint of heart , or for people who need everything exactly perfect before they start something. But if you are like a Columbus and want to explore new worlds , the Hospitality Industry can provide that opportunity.

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Posted in: Banqueting manager,Columbus,Conference manager,experience,hospitality industry,hospitality management,plane ticket

Fields of operation offered by Hospitality Management

The qualifications represent a flexible and broad-based professional training course that is not only highly regarded by the international hospitality industry but also by other types of business. Therefore, programme graduates are welcome worldwide in all sectors that are primarily concerned with services and service management.

Companies recruiting our students:

Hilton
NH Hotels
Sheraton
Center Parks
Disney World
Marriott
Hyatt
Holiday Inn
Hospitality Marketing Partners
HRC International

Graduates with a qualification in Hospitality Management enjoy access to an almost limitless number of careers in the hospitality industry. A degree obtained from Stenden South Africa is unique in that it prepares students for positions in international hotels, small hotel chains, restaurants, conference and convention centres. Furthermore, graduates are welcome in the service industry at large covering positions in conservation, game lodge management and eco-tourism. Some of the typical positions in the hospitality industry are discussed below.

Game Lodge Manager
Food and Beverage Manager
Rooms Division Manager
Catering Manager
Convention Centre Manager
Banqueting Manager
Sales Manager
Career options

Game Lodge Manager
This is perhaps one of the most challenging positions in the hospitality industry. The manager's duties include human resources, budgeting, accounting and finance, food and beverage, front office, reservations and housekeeping. Further challenges are the requirement of managing a fleet of game vehicles, hosting parties of guests for up to 18 hours a day, planning of game drives, managing the game rangers, monitoring of fences and implementing the anti-poaching programmes.

Food and Beverage Manager
They work in large hotels, leisure centres, or wildlife game reserves, supervising the daily operations of the different departments where food and drinks are produced and served to the guests. They manage the staff of the food and beverage department. They are responsible for the planning, organising, co-ordinating, and control of the department in addition to maintaining a good relationship with suppliers of the food and drink menu.

Rooms Division Manager
They work in a large hotel or convention centre. Their main responsibility is to manage the services offered to guests by the personnel at the front office, reservations, and housekeeping.

Catering Manager
Their main task is to manage the day-to-day production and service of food and beverages. This may be in a company restaurant, factory, theme park, care-centres or other businesses. Management would include human resource planning, budgeting, accounting & finance, and supply procurement.

Convention Centre Manager
They are responsible for the daily operations and management in a convention centre that has as its main function the organisation of meetings and conventions for large corporations. This job entails all aspects of the planning, organising, co-ordinating, and control, for a successful conference, convention, or meeting.

Banqueting Manager
They are employed in a large hotel supervising the execution of all functions where food & drink are consumed. Such functions may be, a part of a convention, conference, or meeting. A substantial part of this job is to manage the staff responsible for the setting-up of the function rooms and serving food and drinks to the guests.

Sales Manager
They are responsible for the sale of the service products of the hotel. This person would usually meet with wholesale tour operators, travel agents, or corporations wishing to buy meeting or conference space in the hotel.

Accountants And Auditors
They study financial records in order to give advice on money matters or prepare financial statements. They may prepare income tax forms or advise clients on certain business or financial decisions. They may examine clients financial records to see if they are properly kept and reported. They may develop estate plans, accounting systems, or budgets, and may advise on systems for recording financial data. Some teach courses in a business or professional school, do consulting work, or serve on committees of professional organizations.

Administrative Services Managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate supportive services of an organization, such as record keeping, mail distribution, telephone operator/receptionist, and other office support services. They may oversee facilities planning and maintenance and custodial operations.

Advertising And Promotions Managers
They plan and direct advertising policies and programs or produce promotional materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or give-aways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, or an entire organization.

Computer And Information Systems Managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

Computer Hardware Engineers
They research, design, develop, and test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. They may supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components

Database Administrators
They coordinate changes to computer databases, test and implement the database, using their knowledge of database management systems. They may plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

Employment, Recruitment And Placement Specialists
They recruit and place workers. They include Employment Interviewers, who interview job applicants in public or private employment offices and refer them to prospective employers, initiate contacts with employers, and maintain records. Personnel Recruiters seek out, interview and screen job applicants, usually within an organization.

Financial Analysts
They conduct statistical analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions and private individuals. They interpret economic data, gather information, and make recommendations about investment timing.

Financial Managers
They plan, direct, and coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an organization.

Human Resources Managers
They plan, direct, and coordinate human resource management activities of an organization. They are usually responsible for employee compensation, recruitment, personnel policies and regulations. They may offer training programs.

Management Analysts
They analyze business operations to find ways to help management operate more efficiently and effectively. They conduct studies, design new work systems and procedures, look for ways to simplify work, and prepare procedures manuals. For example, they might plan a new system for filing and protecting records and reports. They might sketch the layout for new office machines, or develop ways to improve business reports. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

Market Research Analysts
They research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas to determine potential sales of a product or service. They may gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution; may use survey results to create a marketing campaign based on regional preferences and buying habits.

Marketing Managers
They determine the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors and identify potential customers. They may develop pricing strategies to maximize the firm’s profits or market share, while ensuring customer satisfaction. They may oversee product development or monitor trends that

Public Relations Managers
They plan and direct public relations programs to create and maintain a favorable public image for employer or client; or if engaged in fundraising, plan and direct activities to solicit funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

Public Relations Specialists
They engage in promoting or creating good will for individuals, groups, or organizations. They write or select favorable publicity material and release it through various communications media. They may prepare and arrange displays, and make speeches.

Sales Engineers
They sell business goods or services that require a technical background. They may sell either mechanical, electrical, electronic, chemical, or related products. They call on engineers, architects, or other professionals to explain and demonstrate products and services. They review blueprints, plans, and other customer documents and estimates the costs of providing products or services. They advise and/or provide technical support to clients on the use, operation, and upkeep of equipment. They also draw up sales contracts and may provide technical training to clients.

Securities, Commodities, And Financial Sales Agents
They buy and sell securities (stocks and bonds) for customers. They provide to business financial counseling services, such as loan, tax and securities counseling.

Travel Agents
They plan trips for travel agency customers. Duties include determining destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, accommodations required, and planning, describing, or selling itinerary package tours. They may specialize in foreign or domestic service, individual or group travel, specific geographical area, airplane charters, or package tours.

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Posted in: Banqueting manager,catering manager,convention centre manager,food and beverage,game lodge manager,sales manager,travel agents