The Ultimate Hospitality Career Guide As an experience-driven market, hospitality relies on customer service to power revenue and is susceptible due to rapidly changing consumer expectations. A report by Alice and YouGov found that 81% of travelers are willing to pay more to receive local experience recommendations from their hotels, such as guided tours and food tastings. Food and beverage are the most lucrative subsectors in the hospitality industry. In 2020, food and beverage revenue in the U.S. was worth approximately 865 billion dollars. Comparatively, the hotel industry had a value of $85.5 billion, while travel and tourism were worth $396.37 billion during the same year. Because of technical innovations and the need for heightened personalized experiences, there are more opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry ever before. So what are those positions, and how do you get started? We have created this comprehensive guide to help you determine and achieve your hospitality and tourism career goals. Yellowbrick’s Ultimate Hospitality Career Guide is your source to discover careers and learn entry points into the hospitality and tourism industry. In this guide, you can begin to explore the jobs that drive the market, then search for your perfect career by area of interest, skills, companies, or industry experts. Learn about your skills and interests, articulate them confidently to identify career options within the industry you might pursue, and implement a successful strategy to attain your desired career outcomes. In this guide you’ll find the following information: • Overview of the hospitality and tourism industry • Future of the hospitality market • Hospitality Career Library • Career Planning Strategy to get into the hospitality industry You’ll also find simple exercises that help you: • form a career planning strategy to get into the hospitality and tourism industry • find your passion in hospitality and identify an area of interest to pursue • learn the hospitality industry through top companies, brands, agencies, and its key players • identify your skills and match them to a hospitality area of interest Whether you’re a novice, a student, or a professional, you can further your career path by accessing this guide that will help you begin understanding the hospitality opportunities available, as well as the skills and qualifications you need to succeed.

1. THE
ULTIMATE
HOSPITALITY
CAREER
GUIDE

2. SPECIAL OFFER
2
OUTLINE

3. SPECIAL OFFER
3
04
10
15
19
Industry 101
Prospective Highlights
Future of Work
Hotels & Lodging
Event Management
Food & Beverage
Tourism & Travel
Novice Strategy
Alumni Strategy
Expert Strategy
05
07
08
11
12
13
14
16
17
18
22
25
28
34
35
37
CAREER LIBRARY
CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY
GETTING STARTED
Pinpoint Your Passion for Hospitality
Learn The Industry
Identify Your Skills
Brand Research
Set Your Career Goals
General Rules of Exploration
OVERVIEW

4. SPECIAL OFFER
4
OVERVIEW
INDUSTRY 101
PROSPECTIVE
HIGHLIGHTS
FUTURE OF WORK

5. 5 SPECIAL OFFER
OVERVIEW
INDUSTRY 101
The hospitality industry is a subfield of the
service sector that includes lodging, food
& beverage, event planning, travel, and
tourism. As an experience-driven market,
hospitality relies on customer service
to power revenue and is susceptible to
rapidly changing consumer expectations.
A report by Alice and YouGov found
that over 80% of travelers are willing
to pay more to receive local experience
recommendations from their hotels such
as guided tours and food tastings. The
industry experienced a 46% decrease
in revenue from 2019 to 2020 due to
COVID-19 and related travel and contact
restrictions. The market improved in 2021
and 2022 and is expected to make a full
recovery by the end of 2023.

6. 6 SPECIAL OFFER
Leisure travel (trips taken by individuals on their own personal
time for enjoyment and relaxation) and hospitality is the largest
small-business employer in the United States. Over 15 million
people in the U.S. work in hospitality and leisure, a number that
is still rebounding from COVID-19 shutdowns.
Food and beverage are the most lucrative subsectors in the
hospitality industry. The U.S. food and beverage market is worth
just over $1 trillion and is expected to grow to over $1.5 trillion
by 2030. Comparatively, the hotel industry is valued at $258
billion while travel and tourism are worth $1.2 billion.
OVERVIEW

7. 7 SPECIAL OFFER
Marriott
International, Inc.
is the leading
hotel company
worldwide,
generating
approximately
$19.3 billion in
revenue in 2022.
There are 14.9
million restaurant
industry employees
in the United
States.
Global leisure
spending increased
by 25% in 2021
after a pandemic
low of $2.3 trillion.
OVERVIEW
PROSPECTIVE
HIGHLIGHTS
$19.3 BILLION
IN REVENUE
14.9 MILLION
EMPLOYEES
25% INCREASE
The global hospitality market
is worth over $4 trillion and is
expected to grow over 10% a
year to reach over $6.7 trillion by
2027.

8. 8 SPECIAL OFFER
FUTURE OF WORK
Hotels began venturing into smart
technology before COVID-19, but the
pandemic accelerated the need for
technology that enabled contact-free
options for customers. As a result, digital
keys, touchless check-in options, and
mobile app integration became more
common and are now standard in large
chain hotels. Technical innovations like
these heighten personalization and
ultimately improve customer experience.
Smart technology also aids in revenue by
reducing utility and energy costs.
In 2015, Japan experimented with robotic
technology with the humanoid robot,
Pepper. Pepper robots were designed
to read emotions by analyzing facial
expressions and vocal tones. Production
on Pepper robots was paused but experts
have predicted the hotel industry is likely
to veer further into robotics and will
one day rely on robots to perform as
concierges, room delivery services, and
cleaning staff.
OVERVIEW

9. 9 SPECIAL OFFER
While robotics and smart technology
have emerged as focal points for major
hotel chains, consumers also show
significant interest in more organic
experiences. Services like Airbnb and Vrbo
have allowed consumers to also act as
hosts and have created an affordable
alternative to high-priced hotel stays.
Pay and wages have long been an area
of contention throughout the hospitality
industry. The federal minimum hourly
wage of $7.25 has been in place since
2009, despite year-over-year increases in
the cost of living expenses nationwide.
As a result, pay increases have become
a political talking point. In 2021, 21
states enacted incremental minimum
wage increases with the ultimate goal of
reaching $15 per hour.
OVERVIEW

10. 10 SPECIAL OFFER
10
CAREER
LIBRARY
Many careers can be pursued within the
hospitality industry. The Hospitality and
Tourism Industry Essentials online course
with The NYU School of Professional
Studies Jonathan M. Tisch Center of
Hospitality gives a holistic understanding
of the hospitality industry — including the
careers responsible for driving the market
forward while developing necessary skills.
Below is a list of career possibilities for
students, along with highlighted industry
experts within the course you could learn
from.

11. 11 SPECIAL OFFER
Valet
Room Attendant
Bellhop/Porter
Room Service Attendant
Hotel Clerk
Housekeeping Manager
Hotel Front Desk Assistant
Night Auditor
Concierge
Hotel Marketing Manager
Innkeeper
Hotel Sales Manager
Front Desk Manager
Hotel Accounting/Revenue
Manager
Hotel General Manager
Lodging Manager
Maid/Hotel Housekeeper
Airbnb Host
CAREER LIBRARY
INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
SHIRLEY LU
Regional Director of Revenue
Management, The Standard Hotels
CAREERS IN HOTELS & LODGING

12. 12 SPECIAL OFFER
CAREER LIBRARY
Event Assistant
Marketing/Communications
Manager
Event Coordinator
Catering Services Manager
Event Planner
INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
LAUREN GRECH
CEO and Co-Founder of LLG Events
Donor/Sponsorship Coordinator
Wedding Planner
Volunteer Coordinator
Event Manager
Customer Experience Manager
Event Space/Venue Manager
CAREERS IN EVENT MANAGEMENT

13. 13 SPECIAL OFFER
Fast Food Attendant
Cake Decorator
Barista
Pastry Chef
Bartender
Line Cook
Maître D
Sous Chef
Host
Executive Chef
Server
CAREER LIBRARY
INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
YVETTE LY
Director of People + Culture, West Bourne
Kitchen Manager
Front of House Manager
Sommelier
Kitchen Porter
Restaurant Manager
Dishwasher
Restaurant Owner
Busser
Catering Assistant
Commis Chef
Catering Manager
CAREERS IN FOOD & BEVERAGE

14. 14 SPECIAL OFFER
CAREER LIBRARY
Travel Agent
Leisure Activity Coordinator
Flight Attendant
Game Dealer
Tour Operator
Casino Security Officer
Tour Guide
INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
SORAYA ALOLAMA
Manager, North America at Dubai
Tourism
Casino Manager
Cruise Ship Lifeguard
Resort Operations Manager
Cabin Crew
Resort Activities Director
Cruise Ship Director
Interpreter/Translator
CAREERS IN TOURISM & TRAVEL

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15
CAREER
PLANNING
STRATEGY
There is no set linear path to achieving
your dreams within the hospitality
industry. The following is a three-phase
career planning guide that reflects
industry experts’ experiences and is
tailored to novices, alumni, and experts
who are either considering a career within
hospitality, navigating into the hospitality
industry, or experiencing growth and
leadership in their roles.

16. 16 SPECIAL OFFER
NOVICE
NOVICE
Begin to
understand your
interests within the
hospitality industry
Explore career
options within the
hospitality industry
Determine
when you want
to enroll in NYU’s
Hospitality and
Tourism Industry
Essentials online
course, other
relevant programs,
conferences, etc.,
to expand your
knowledge
Create a
LinkedIn profile
and reach out to
potential mentors
or industry experts
that align with your
area of interest
Learn more
about NYU’s
Hospitality and
Tourism Industry
Essentials online
course
Follow
Yellowbrick on
Instagram and
TikTok to learn
about expert
workshops on
topics related
to the industry,
networking, and job
searching
Identify the
career path(s)
you’re interested in
pursuing
Identify your
interests, values,
skills, and talents
Enroll in
programs, classes,
and attend
conferences that
allow you to gain
first-hand learning
experience about
the hospitality
industry
Learn the
timelines and
experiences of
potential mentors
and industry
experts you admire
Understand
recruiting timelines
within the
hospitality industry
KNOWLEDGE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY

17. 17 SPECIAL OFFER
Have an expert
understanding
of how a team is
built or an event is
planned
Complete
templates,
assignments, and
work that apply
to the hospitality
industry
Upload work
completed onto
your portfolio and
LinkedIn
Review job
descriptions of
positions within the
hospitality industry
that interest you
Attend events
to build a network
Attend
recruiting events
and employer
information
sessions
Connect with
mentors, industry
experts within your
field of interest,
and alumni to
better position
yourself for the job
search
Assess what
you’ve learned
about yourself and
the intersection
between hospitality
career paths and
the alignment with
your skills and
interests
Seek an
internship or entry-
level opportunity
within your field
of interest in
hospitality
Determine
the gaps in your
skillset and pursue
opportunities to
build those skills
needed
Revise and
tailor your resume
and cover letter
KNOWLEDGE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY
ALUMNI
ALUMNI

18. 18 SPECIAL OFFER
In-depth,
hands-on
knowledge
about specific
careers within the
hospitality industry
Master
communication
within your
discipline and field
Have your hand
on the pulse with
industry trends and
topics
Develop
and maintain
relationships
with mentors and
peers within the
hospitality industry
Explore
leadership,
speaking
engagements,
and opportunities
within the industry
beyond your 9 to 5
Collaborate
with peers,
companies, and/or
organizations
Celebrate your
accomplishments,
growth, and
opportunities to
learn
Give yourself
permission to
pursue and grow
out of your comfort
zone
Ensure your
professional online
presence is up to
date: LinkedIn,
website, etc.
Prepare field-
specific application
materials (resume,
cover letter,
samples/portfolio)
KNOWLEDGE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY
EXPERT
EXPERT

19. 19 SPECIAL OFFER
19
GETTING
STARTED
PINPOINT YOUR
HOSPITALITY PASSION
LEARN THE INDUSTRY
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
BRAND RESEARCH
SET YOUR
CAREER GOALS
GENERAL RULES
OF EXPLORATION

20. 20 SPECIAL OFFER
GETTING STARTED
ON YOUR NEXT STEPS
The hospitality industry is made up of
an ecosystem of careers ranging from
planning to management. The possibilities
may feel vast, but you can follow a career
planning process that will help you make
informed decisions beyond completing
the Hospitality and Tourism Industry
Essentials online course with The NYU
School of Professional Studies Jonathan
M. Tisch Center of Hospitality. Figuring
out what career you want to pursue and
creating a plan to get there involves
assessing your interests and skills,
exploring your options, making decisions,
and taking action to achieve your career
goals. While each person’s experience
will be unique, these key points apply to
everyone.
GETTING STARTED

21. 21 SPECIAL OFFER
GETTING STARTED
DISCOVER
Dig into your interests,
personal values, skills,
work environment
preferences, lifestyle,
and job responsibilities
to identify different
fields within the
industry you’re
passionate about.
ACT
Get hands-on
experience from
internships, projects,
volunteering, job
opportunities related to
your evaluation.
EXPLORE
Research and learn
a range of career
options that align with
your interests you’ve
discovered.
DECIDE
Assess and evaluate
your options and narrow
down your selections
to a few that match
best with your lifestyle,
work environment
preferences, and wants.
It’s important to practice a growth
mindset and be open to exploring your
passions, interests, wants, and needs.

22. SPECIAL OFFER
22
PINPOINT
YOUR
PASSION FOR
HOSPITALITY
The most important element in figuring
out your career path and next steps is
understanding your passion and how
your interests relate. This career prep
exercise is your starter guide for exploring
your passion and interests within the
hospitality industry.
CAREER PREP

23. 23 SPECIAL OFFER
1
4
7
2
5
3
6
DIRECTIONS
Take a few minutes to reflect on the
following topics. Come up with 3-5
answers to each. Once you are finished
answering the questions, identify
commonalities, and find themes in your
answers.
During my
free time, I...
I’m an expert at... I’m obsessed
with hospitality
because...
I’m energized by...
I like learning
about...
If I can learn
anything about
hospitality, it’d be...
Naturally,
I’m good at...
PINPOINT YOUR PASSION
1
4
7
2
5
3
6

24. 24 SPECIAL OFFER
OF your answers, what common theme(s) are you seeing that
are related to these areas of interest within the hospitality
industry?
HOTELS & LODGING
EVENT MANAGEMENT
FOOD & BEVERAGE
TOURISM & TRAVEL
ACTION STEP
From the common themes you’ve seen from your answers, who
is one person you can talk to and learn more about in your
area of interest?
PINPOINT YOUR PASSION

25. 25 SPECIAL OFFER
25
LEARN
THE
INDUSTRY
How well do you know the hospitality
business? Use this research exercise
to learn more about key players in
the hospitality industry, your favorite
companies and services, their
competitors, and discover what type of
company you want to work for (or start!).
CAREER PREP

26. 26 SPECIAL OFFER
LEARN THE INDUSTRY

27. 27 SPECIAL OFFER
LEARN THE INDUSTRY

28. 28 SPECIAL OFFER
28
IDENTIFY
YOUR
HOSPITALITY
SKILLS
As you understand your interests within
the hospitality industry, you must be
aware of the skills you have developed
and already possess, especially when
planning your career goals or beginning
your job search.
CAREER PREP

29. 29 SPECIAL OFFER
HOTEL & LODGING
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
Interpersonal skills
Emotional intelligence
Collaborative
Strong work ethic
Ability to anticipate needs
Sociable nature
Quick learner
Technologically savvy
Able to take direction and feedback
Service-minded
Each box represents a skill and area of interest
within the hospitality industry. Within each box below:
Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled
Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled
Place a “1” if there’s room for improvement

30. 30 SPECIAL OFFER
EVENT MANAGEMENT
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
Strategic
Time management skills
Ability to multitask
Deadline driven
Attention to detail
Can take initiative
Ability to problem solve
Enthusiastic
Strong follow-through skills
Self-motivated
Each box represents a skill and area of interest
within the hospitality industry. Within each box below:
Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled
Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled
Place a “1” if there’s room for improvement

31. 31 SPECIAL OFFER
Each box represents a skill and area of interest
within the hospitality industry. Within each box below:
Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled
Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled
Place a “1” if there’s room for improvement
FOOD & BEVERAGE
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
Flexible
Can-do attitude
Confidence
Outgoing
Customer service skills
Team-oriented
Intuitive
Perceptiveness
Consistent
Perseverance

32. 32 SPECIAL OFFER
TOURISM & TRAVEL
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
Cultural awareness
Adaptability
Resourceful
Innovative
Creative
Dependable
Organized
Strong presentation skills
Aware of current trends
Networking ability
Each box represents a skill and area of interest
within the hospitality industry. Within each box below:
Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled
Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled
Place a “1” if there’s room for improvement

33. 33 SPECIAL OFFER
BECOME
AN EXPERT
Hiring managers and head hunters are
impressed with what you know and the
skills you can bring to the table. Making
time for yourself to become an expert
is how you’ll find your lane and make
yourself stand out. This can appear in
different ways: investing in your career
with time, money, and knowledge.
Constant exposure to new information
can be overwhelming to figure out where
to start and how to keep up. Begin with
what you know and where your interests
fall — by researching the companies and
brands you gravitate toward.

34. 34 SPECIAL OFFER
Bassett Events, Inc.
Best Western Hotels
Carnival Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Cracker Barrel Old Country
Store
Disney Cruise Line
EDITION Hotels
Four Seasons Hotels and
Resorts
Hard Rock Cafe
Hilton Worldwide
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
InterContinental Hotels Group
LLG Events
Marie Callender’s
Marriott International, Inc.
MGM Resorts International
MKG
Norwegian Cruise Line
Omni Hotels & Resorts
Oren Co
P&O Cruises
Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
Radisson Hotel Group
Rafanelli Events
Red Lobster
Royal Caribbean International
The Standard Hotels
Starbucks
Travelodge
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
West Bourne
Windstar Cruises
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
TOP HOTELS, CRUISE LINES,
RESTAURANTS, AND EVENT PLANNING
COMPANIES TO GET YOU STARTED
BRAND RESEARCH

35. 35 SPECIAL OFFER
SET YOUR CAREER GOALS 35
SETTING
YOUR
CAREER
GOALS
You’ve narrowed in your passions and
done some research into the hospitality
industry. Identifying your career goal and
creating a plan around it will help you
with your next steps.
Setting career goals requires planning.
Identify academic requirements,
experience, barriers, and other factors
that will help you prepare for your career
goals on the next page.
CAREER PREP

36. 36 SPECIAL OFFER
SET YOUR CAREER GOALS
ACADEMICS
EXPERIENCE
BARRIERS
OTHER FACTORS
CAREER GOALS

37. 37 SPECIAL OFFER
GENERAL RULES OF CAREER
EXPLORATION WITHIN
THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
GENERAL RULES
EXPLORE
Take time to
explore how your
interests and
skills intersect
with different
career paths in
the hospitality
industry. This will
help you holistically
understand the
whole industry and
communicate your
value to future
employers.
BUILD
Each opportunity
you take on builds
a foundation of
applicable skills
for the next
opportunity.
START
Beginning allows
you to build a
wide range of
experiences,
explore various
fields, and give you
room to change
your mind or pivot
along the way.

38. SPECIAL OFFER
38
READY TO LEARN
MORE ABOUT
THE HOSPITALITY
FIELD AND ALL
ASPECTS OF THE
HOSPITALITY
BUSINESS?
Check out Yellowbrick’s Hospitality
and Tourism Industry Essentials
online course with The NYU School
of Professional Studies Jonathan M.
Tisch Center of Hospitality.

39. 39 SPECIAL OFFER
STATISTA | STATISTICS & FACTS
https://www.statista.com/markets/420/travel-tourism-
hospitality/
H CAREERS | DIVERSITY & HOSPITALITY
https://www.hcareers.com/article/employer-articles/
survey-results-diversity-and-hospitality-upper-
management
BUREAU OF LABOR STATS | HOSPITALITY
https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag70.htm
HOTEL BUSINESS | STUDY
https://hotelbusiness.com/study-81-of-consumers-want-
experience-recommendations-from-hotels/
RESOURCES

40. 40 SPECIAL OFFER
40
HOSPITALITY
ESSENTIALS
Unlock the secrets of the hospitality and
tourism industry from the inside out. New
York University faculty alongside leaders
across the hospitality, tourism, and travel
world, will teach you about the key areas
and related career opportunities in the
ever-evolving hospitality industry.
This 100% online course will build your
hospitality and tourism industry skills and
expertise in key areas such as:
Current trends in hospitality
Generating loyalty for a brand and
demand management
Hotel operations and economics
Experience management — from
festivals to restaurants
Entrepreneurship and recognizing
business opportunities
Learn more at ylearn.co/hospitalitybook.
ABOUT

41. 41 SPECIAL OFFER
EMPOWERING DREAMERS TO
ACHIEVE THEIR CALLING
In partnership with top universities
and brands, we create educational
experiences that tap into interests and
passions to spark success, fuel personal
advancement, and open doors to fulfilling
paths for our students.
Check out our full course offerings at
ylearn.co/ebook.
Join us on social media:
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ABOUT