How to Become a Hotel Manager

Working in the hospitality industry is exciting, challenging, and rewarding. In order to become a successful hotel manager at a prestigious property, you will need to blend education with experience.

Education Requirements For Hotel Managers

There are two ways to become a hotel manager. You can work your way up the chain of command, which means starting out as a desk clerk and spending years working toward promotions with no guarantees, or you can get an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in hospitality management.
Many community or junior colleges offer 2-year programs in the field of hospitality, here are 10 examples:

1. Introduction to Hospitality Management
2. Food and Beverage Management
3. Hotel Operations
4. Event Planning and Management
5. Customer Service in Hospitality
6. Hospitality Marketing and Sales
7. Hospitality Law and Ethics
8. Front Office Operations
9. Housekeeping Management

Locate and contact those community colleges which are geographically suitable for attendance and inquire about their programs. 

There are also a number of esteemed colleges and universities (even Ivy league!) which offer various 4-year degrees in the hospitality field. Most all offer both on-campus and online degree programs. Here are some of the most reputable, with a description of each, in their own words.

1. Cornell University – Nolan School of Hotel Administration: “Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration announces a yearlong celebration to commemorate the 100th anniversary of it’s founding.  If you want to be the best, learn with the best. At the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, we’ve been pioneering, reimagining, and perfecting hospitality education for a century. We push boundaries in the pursuit of excellence and define the future of our industry. Our AACSB-accredited degree immerses you in a business education infused with the foundational knowledge of hospitality, services, and real estate. The Cornell Nolan School experience combines world-class classroom instruction with hands-on experiential learning and is the only Ivy League program of its kind. You’ll join the ranks of our proud Hotelie community, which includes foremost leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs in one of the most exciting industries around the globe.”
2. University of Nevada, Las Vegas – The William F. Harrah College of Hospitality: “The William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is the world’s preeminent hospitality management school, pairing a world-class education with industry-relevant practical experience. This immersive, holistic learning environment uniquely prepares students for leadership roles in the hospitality and gaming industry.

   UNLV Hospitality Management students learn from renowned industry experts within blocks of the most notable resorts on the globe. And with our affordable tuition rates and generous scholarship offerings, earning your bachelor’s or master’s degree at the Harrah College of Hospitality is more attainable than you think.”

3. Purdue University – School of Hospitality and Tourism Management: “The White Lodging-J.W. Marriott School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) is a global leader in hospitality management education. The Journal of Hospitality Education has ranked Purdue’s HTM program No. 1 at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. HTM is primarily an applied business field. The program prepares students for management and leadership careers in the hospitality and tourism industries.

Students obtain hands-on experience and knowledge in HTM’s Boiler Bistro, the John Purdue Room, the Union Club Hotel and through two paid internships (in the United States and abroad) at restaurants, resorts, sports facilities, country clubs, convention and visitor bureaus, and hotels.  Students have the opportunity to study abroad in amazing locations such as the Shangri La Hotels in China; the Sponsored Internship and Study Abroad program in China is one of the leading programs of its kind.

Students develop critical thinking skills and a broad perspective in operations management, human resources, leadership, hospitality law, accounting, finance, marketing, information systems and international relations. Students can choose concentrations in the following areas: environmental sustainability, finance, and marketing and sales. HTM also offers an event and meeting management minor. More than 94% of HTM graduates secure a job within six months of graduation. Boston University – School of Hospitality Administration (Boston, Massachusetts, USA): BU’s School of Hospitality Administration offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in hospitality administration, specializing in areas such as hotel management, restaurant management, and event management.”

4. Penn State University – School of Hospitality Management: “The School of Hospitality Management (SHM) prepares our graduates to make a difference in the global world of hospitality through their skills in management and problem-solving, by combining people-skills along with analytical prowess. Our graduates learn in real-world facilities, research labs solving real-world problems, travel for domestic and international learning experiences, and engage as much with people as with novel technologies. The learning and engagement at SHM reflect today’s relevant industry landscape providing experiences that prepare students for the many career opportunities offered in the diverse and exciting segments of the global hospitality industry, and will power their success in any complex, people-centric enterprise. Penn State’s Hospitality Management program is amongst the oldest program in the nation, and amongst the most prestigious of its kind in the world.”
5. When looking at any hospitality program, make sure to examine colleges and universities carefully in discerning their reputations. Rigorously investigate, and make sure they are an accredited institution of higher learning. Accreditation means the college or university has maintained rigorous academic standards and has received the stamp of approval from one or more of the following agencies, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Accreditation also paves the way for receiving federal financial aid. In other words, certain grants and loans will not be available to you if you choose to attend a non-accredited school. Read reviews as to their suitability for your goals.

Experience in Hotel Management

Whether you enroll in an AA program, or a BA/BS program, be sure to seek out an entry-level position as a front desk clerk. This will give you a broadened perspective on the daily demands of the field, and it will provide you with invaluable experience which will fortify your educational pursuits. Any employer will be more inclined to hire an individual with both experience and an education, versus someone who only has one or the other. 

Job Outlook for Hotel Managers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/), Hotel Managers have promising opportunities for the time period spanning 2022-2032. The field is growing by 7% per year, which is slightly above the average growth rate. Government experts predict that each year over 5,400 openings will become available (between 2022-2032), due to replacing workers 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 hotel management positions will be created. In 2022 there were 50,800 individuals working as hotel 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).

Begin today to explore your educational options, as well as opportunities as a front desk clerk. You will soon be on your way to becoming a happy and successful hotel manager!