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You want more than a 9-5 and thrive working with people. Explore an exciting new career by studying a rewarding hospitality course.
You’re organised, energetic and love working with people. Now, turn those abilities into a rewarding new career by studying a hospitality course.
A growing industry in need of skilled leaders to guide it, the hospitality sector is creating hundreds of jobs for qualified professionals. If you want a job that provides more satisfaction, human contact and opportunities for growth than a 9-to-5 office environment, consider studying a hospitality course and gain the qualification to thrive in an exciting industry.
Working in hospitality, no two days will be the same. You’ll work in a tight-knit hospitality team, using your skills managing people and solving problems to provide world-class service to your customers and patrons. You’ll resolve problems, think strategically, charm customers and provide vital assistance to make every meal or event feel like a special occasion. As a hospitality leader, you won’t just build in-demand skills for your career – you’ll develop the capacity to shape people’s experiences.
You may study a hospitality course at a range of different levels, including as a certificate or diploma course, or as part of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business or management. Hospitality and retail workers who work as managers generally hold diplomas.
After completing a hospitality course, you may work in a range of roles in the hospitality, events and tourism sectors. You may choose to seek employment as a venue manager, restaurant manager, or food and beverage attendant.
If you thrive working with people, enjoy fast-paced environments and want more than an office job, consider a switch to the dynamic and energising hospitality industry.
What do hospitality graduates do?
Graduates of hospitality courses may seek employment in a wide variety of operational, management and team member roles in a range of restaurant, venue and hotel settings, which means your day-to-day responsibilities will vary. However, your work will likely include tasks such as:
- Directing and overseeing scheduling and reservations, including managing reception activities and bookings;
- Maintaining and supervising security arrangements and property maintenance;
- Performing customer service activities, including answering questions, providing advice and resolving conflict;
- Assessing and reviewing customer satisfaction;
- Planning and supervising bar, restaurant, venue, function and conference activities;
- Observing venue compliance with relevant occupational health and safety, gaming and liquor regulations;
- Overseeing and reviewing purchasing and stock control activities;
- Managing and leading other staff members;
- Providing guests with information about tourism and recreational activities and assist with arranging tours; and
- Managing administrative tasks.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
You may seek employment in a wide range of management, leadership and business roles within the hospitality and tourism industries
Roles you may choose to take on after completing a course in hospitality include:
- Hotel Manager
- Hotel Front Office Attendant
- Hotel Service Supervisor
- Tourism Manager
- Hotel Supervisor
- Hospitality Operator
- Human Resources Manager
- Food and Beverage Manager
- Front of House Manager
- Front Office Supervisor
- Hospitality Professional
- Hospitality Manager
- Restaurant Manager
- Venue Coordinator
- Facility Manager
- Meeting Planner
- Concierge
- Rooms Division and Front Office
- Banquet and Events Manager
- Housekeeping Supervisor
- Catering Manager
- Bar Manager
- Guest Services Manager
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You’ll thrive working in hospitality if you:
- Love working with people
- Thrive under pressure
- Enjoy dynamic and unexpected work
- Have excellent customer service skills
- Have excellent time management and organisational skills
- Are a natural leader
- Enjoy problem-solving
- Are highly motivated
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Are proactive and efficient
- Can think strategically and exercise sound judgment
- Can speak confidently in public
- Want a people-focused job
- Enjoy flexibility
- Want to get things done
Job opportunities
The Australian Government’s Job Outlook predicts moderate growth in job opportunities for hospitality managers over the next decade, predicting the profession will grow to employ approximately 1,000 more people by 2020. Employment opportunities in the profession have grown steadily for the past decade.
Currently employing approximately 25,500 people, the hospitality industry is considered large, and roles are available in most areas of Australia. Job Outlook notes that a significant proportion of hospitality workers work in Queensland, with around one in three workers employed in the state, which employs approximately one fifth of the country’s workforce.
Average Salaries
According to PayScale, a hospitality manager can expect to earn a salary between $41,000 and $75,000 per year, with an average annual salary of approximately $53,000. PayScale notes that earning capacity rises with experience and reports that approximately 40 per cent of hospitality managers have more than 10 years of experience in the industry, indicating many employees choose to build a career in hospitality. A hospitality manager with 20 years of experience can expect to earn an average salary of approximately $59,000 per year.