After some significant time in limbo, the hospitality industry is now on the verge of a comeback. The harsh economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic have taken their toll on the industry, and now that travel restrictions and other safety measures have mostly been lifted, businesses in hotel and hospitality have seen a positive rise in recent times. And as these industries begin to reopen and adapt to the changes brought upon by the pandemic, demand for vital skills in areas such as International Hospitality Operations Management has significantly increased as well.
As an aspiring professional in these industries, this is a great indicator to continue pursuing your passion in this career path and achieve your career goals!
Here at Toronto School of Management (TSoM), we have academic programs and career-centric initiatives to help our students succeed in their professional endeavours. In this blog, Eddy Sulaiman, TSoM Academic Manager for Hospitality & Tourism Programs, shares some tips for a successful career in the field of International Hospitality Management!
- Get your degree, preferably internationally with co-op: Most companies nowadays recognize an international educational degree as a plus on resumes in addition to hands-on work experience, and with that said, completing a co-op program can be an effective token to join the work force.
- Get your work experience: Try various positions, and always look for opportunities that start from the bottom. Learn as much as possible from your position, then look up better work opportunities with your experience in hand. Keep in mind that sometimes training such as internships will provide you with the most experience and job opportunities.
- Socialize with those who do not speak your native language: Get out of your comfort zone, improve your English skills, learn how to think in English, and learn other languages, one word at a time. Remember, your guests are not always local. One word of kindness can change the world and make you a shining star in the hospitality industry.
- Network, Network, and Network: You will be working with people for people. There is nothing better than meeting new people from the industry who are just as passionate as you are. The hospitality industry is a large family in a small world; everyone is connected.
- Have the correct mindset: Having an open mind, being welcoming to other cultures, and being courageous enough to relocate and go out of your comfort zone are the right mindsets to help you draft your career path.
- Always look for continuous improvement: Learn new skills, practice them, improve your skills, and learn new skills again—the cycle must stay in motion.
- Practice hospitality in every moment, adopt it as your lifestyle: Always remember that hospitality is not what we do for others but how we make them feel.
TSoM offers a variety of sought-after programs catering to the field of hospitality, complete with an exceptional curriculum and relevant training that will hone your skills to become a competent professional in this booming industry. To learn more about our Hospitality and Tourism programs, visit our website or send us an email at [email protected].