How to turn a passion for serving others into a career
The hospitality and retail management industry dominates in the customer-centered field. This field is perfect for the service-minded individual that wants to dedicate their life to providing excellent experiences for people all over the world. The world of hospitality is an evergreen industry, and nothing can ever replace the human-to-human connection. By pursuing a degree at Texas Tech University in the department of Hospitality and Retail Management, one can build the necessary skills to become highly successful in the professional field.
Understanding Necessary Skills to Succeed in the Hospitality and Retail Management Industry
While specific careers in hospitality and retail management differ, they share many key skills. Three of the most important are customer service, operations, and leadership. Developing these skills opens doors to success and growth. Earning a bachelor’s degree is another common way to gain success in this field.
Career Options in Hospitality Management
If you want a career centered around working with tourists, providing unforgettable experiences, and building impactful relationships, hospitality management might be the right option. These employment paths consist of but are not limited to:
- Hotel & Resort Management – general manager, concierge, department director
- Food & Beverage Management – restaurant manager, catering manager, banquet coordinator
- Event Planning – event coordinator, wedding planner
- Travel & Tourism – travel consultant, tour guide, cruise director
Career Options in Retail Management
A career in retail management consists of all the aspects it takes to run a retail store. The retail industry is forever booming, and it will always be centered around the customer experience. The retail management employment paths consist of but are not limited to:
- Store Manager – head of a retail store
- Corporate Retail Leadership – buyer, merchandiser, operations manager
- E-commerce Manager – customer service representative, fulfillment specialist
- Visual Merchandising – visual merchandiser, brand manager, internal marketing coordinator
Skills Needed for Success
Since this is a people-centered field, communication and customer service skills are of the utmost importance. Interpersonal skills will help guide success in this field, along with strong leadership and team management skills. Providing a customer-first experience is the foreground for this field, and to do that one must be detail-oriented, adaptable, and excellent at problem solving.
Education in this Field
A bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University’s department of Hospitality and Retail Management will help candidates stand out and learn the proper skills to succeed in their career. Furthermore, this department has more specific degree options for people interested in a career in hospitality and retail management. Focusing on a specific branch of this industry will allow one to gain specialized and attainable skills. Some examples of specific and narrow degree plans consist of:
- B.S. or B.A.A.S. in Restaurant, Hotel & Institutional Management
- B.S. in Retail Management
- B.S. or B.A.A.S. in Event Management
- B.S. or B.A.A.S in Fashion Merchandising
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