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    • How to Become an Accommodations Manager

    In order to become a successful accommodations manager in the shortest amount of time, you will need to couple a degree from an accredited college with experience (an internship is highly recommended).

    EDUCATION

    The wisest way to realize your dream of becoming an accommodations manager is to get a bachelor’s of arts or bachelor’s of science degree in some area of hospitality or tourism. While advancement in the industry is possible through years of employment (without a degree), increasingly, corporations which offer superior benefits packages and coveted environments, are looking for professionals who have proven themselves academically. There is a plethora of opportunities within the academic community with regards to degrees in hospitality. Here are a few examples.

    1. COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS—THE KEETER CENTER

    “We offer a comprehensive hospitality management program. The hospitality management program (HM) offers contemporary, multi-disciplined, and specialized courses of study, utilizing the unique learning laboratory environment of The Keeter Center. The Keeter Center features fine dining, catering and banquet services, upscale lodging, and state-of-the-art conference facilities. The hospitality management degree program integrates the five fundamental goals of the College into its curriculum and activities. We strive to develop hospitality professionals who are self-directed, ethical, and guest-focused, and who demonstrate competence in stewardship and creativity. The HM program is the regional center for best practices in hospitality management, marketing, operations, workplace and food service safety, and culinary excellence. Students can choose from a Hospitality Management course of study or Meeting & Special Event Management.”

    2. FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

    Florida State University provides both online and campus-based hospitality management degrees. “This nationally and internationally known program was established in 1947 in recognition of the demand for industry executives with the kind of education tomorrow’s hospitality manager will need. The curriculum is designed so students not only learn the specialized knowledge needed for the hospitality industry but also understand the basic functions, objectives, and tools of management that are common to all executive roles.”

    3. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY—THE ROSEN COLLEGE OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

    The Rosen College of Hospitality Management is well-known for its strong hospitality management curriculum. “We rank #1 in the nation for Hospitality and Tourism Programs — and top five in the world — ranked by ShanghaiRanking. We have 10+ degree programs, and our Research faculty discover solutions for blending high-tech and high-touch hospitality to create optimal guest experiences. The Rosen College of Hospitality Management advances research and industry expertise across hospitality, event management, entertainment management and tourism.”

    4.BOSTON UNIVERSITY– THE SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY ADMINISTRATION

    “Boston University offers a blend of online and campus-based courses in hospitality management. The School of Hospitality Administration (SHA) academic program is both challenging and well rounded. You’ll be immersed in the hospitality field, learning from world-class industry professionals, respected researchers, and seasoned veterans from around the globe. You’ll share the insights of owners and top executives of major hospitality corporations who visit campus in our Distinguished Lecture Series. As part of your degree requirement, you’ll acquire a minimum of 800 hours of work experience plus an unforgettable international experience. And you’ll take thought-provoking liberal arts and management courses, honing your abilities for critical thinking, clear expression, and problem-solving—all vital skills for success in the business world.”

    Get Experience & Invite Job Offers by Completing an Internship

    Getting an entry-level job and attempting to work your way up the ladder in the hospitality industry will take years to complete, with no guarantees. The quickest way to realize your dream of becoming an accommodation manager is to seek out and be admitted to an internship program, while you are in college (internships are scheduled during the summer) or participate in one immediately after you graduate. Keep in mind, the purpose of these programs is to harvest future accommodations managers for their corporations! You will already have a foot in the employment door when you graduate from their highly-focused internship program. The main employers who hire accommodations managers and offer internships are:

    1. Hotels
    2. Nursing home corporations
    3. Youth hostels
    4. Conference centers
    5. Halls of residence
    6. Accommodation for healthcare workers
    7. Housing associations

    Here is one example of the exciting possibilities which await you in an internship program—Wyndham Hotels & Resorts explain in their own words what you can expect.

    “To Students & Graduates:

    We’ve designed the internship program at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to be one of the most robust and rewarding experiences in the hotel industry.

    At Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, we offer internships at various locations throughout the company. Internships with Wyndham provide college and university students and recent graduates with an opportunity to work within our teams and alongside some of the most experienced and talented individuals in the hospitality industry. Participants in the Wyndham internship program work on challenging, real-life assignments, while partnering with experienced colleagues who are committed to helping them learn and develop skills. Interns also network with various leaders in the company and have the chance to participate in engaging workshops.

    The comprehensive program includes:

    1. Interactive orientation
    2. Professional development workshops
    3. Coaching and feedback sessions
    4. Roundtable discussions with senior leadership
    5. Presentation opportunities
    6. Networking with leaders from across the organization
    7. Group activities.

    To be considered for an internship with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts:

    1. Candidates should be currently enrolled in an accredited college, university or trade school undergraduate or graduate degree program.
    2. Candidates must be a rising undergraduate senior or pursuing a graduate degree.
    3. Candidates must meet specified requirements and qualifications determined by each hiring manager.”

    Job Outlook

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/), Accommodations Managers have promising opportunities for the time period spanning 2022-2032. The field is growing by 7% per year, which is faster than the average growth rate. Government experts predict that each year over 5,400 openings will become available (between 2022-2032), due to replacing accommodations managers who leave the profession, leave the work force and/or retire. Over the ten-year time span (2022-2032) it is projected that a total of 3,400 new accommodations management positions will be created. In 2022 there were 50,800 individuals working as accommodations managers. The median pay per year was $61,910, while the median hourly wage was $29.76. (As a reminder, the “median” amount is not an average, it is the middle value of a dataset. For the U.S. BLS definition go to: https://www.bls.gov/cps/definitions.htm#medianearnings.)

    By getting an education, getting experience through an internship, and networking with those who have proven themselves in the industry, you will be well on your way to fulfilling your dream of becoming a successful accommodations manager!