How to Choose the Right Career Path in Hospitality

No matter if you’ve been working in hospitality for decades or are just starting out, this industry is filled with exciting career paths for every personality and experience level.

Picture yourself managing every detail of a hotel's operations to ensure guests feel right at home, or leading a dynamic restaurant team to create unforgettable dining experiences. Whether you excel in the energetic front-of-house environment or thrive on the strategic challenges of management, there's a spot for you in this dynamic field.

By considering the factors involved in going down different paths in the hospitality industry, you can better understand what kind of career might be the right fit for you. Read along as we highlight roles across different settings, so you can pick the perfect path.

Back-of-House vs. Front-of-House

If you're thinking about a career in the food or hospitality industry, it's crucial to understand the difference between front-of-house (FOH) and back-of-house (BOH) positions. BOH roles, like kitchen staff or housekeepers, focus on operations, requiring precise execution and attention to detail. FOH roles, such as servers, bartenders, and front desk associates, center around guest interactions and providing excellent service. These jobs require great communication and people skills. BOH might be the perfect fit if you enjoy working behind the scenes, but if you love engaging with guests and creating memorable experiences, FOH would be a better path to discover.

Restaurant vs. Hotel Management

Restaurant and hotel management offers rewarding career paths within hospitality. Restaurant managers focus on daily operations, staff coordination, and customer service to ensure a smooth dining experience. This role requires quick decision-making and a firm grasp of culinary operations. On the other hand, hotel managers oversee a broader range of departments and duties, including accommodations, restaurants, spas and retail. This position demands strong organizational skills, motivational leadership, and the ability to multitask. Although both often require working nights and weekends, keep in mind that restaurants have closing hours, while hotels are truly a 24/7 gig. Restaurant management might suit you more if you thrive in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment on a daily basis. Consider hotel management if you prefer a holistic view of the guest experience.

Operational Roles

Working in operations management can vary widely depending on the setting, be it a hotel, restaurant, or casino. Hotel operations managers oversee various departments, including housekeeping, front desk, and guest services, while restaurant operations managers focus on kitchen efficiency, staff coordination, and maintaining high food quality standards and customer service. In a casino, operations managers handle gaming activities, guest services, and often entertainment, requiring a keen eye for detail and strong organizational skills. Reflecting on your skills and interests will guide you in choosing the environment where you can make the greatest impact and find the most fulfillment.

Event Planning vs. Venue Sales

Another possible career path could be deciding between event planning and venue sales. Event planners are the creative forces behind memorable experiences, coordinating everything from dreamy weddings to corporate events at hotels and restaurants. This role demands creativity, meticulous organization, and a knack for quick problem-solving. Venue sales managers help book the event spaces before handing off the event production to the catering and banquet staff (think of the administrative sales team as BOH and event team as FOH). This kind of sales role requires exceptional speaking and presentation skills when you’re meeting with potential clients and giving site tours. If you can work under pressure, consider event planning, but if you'd rather fill a venue with clients than get hands-on, sales would be the right fit.

As you can see, the hospitality industry offers diverse career opportunities, each with its own challenges and rewards. Whether you’re interested in management, operations, or administrative roles, there’s a hospitality career path that suits your skills and aspirations.