As I travel and visit different groups such as Girls Inc. and the Boys & Girls Club, and participate in industry panels and activities such as Hospitality Month, I continue to have conversations with students and educators about hospitality. When students think of career pathways in the hospitality industry, they picture a chef in a restaurant or front desk agent in a hotel. We know these careers are vital to the industry, but there are overlooked and underutilized opportunities in hospitality that lead to a path of success. With your help, I’m working on changing the perception by highlighting the broad category of fields within the service industry that include hotels and resorts, restaurants, event planning, theme parks, marketing and sales, and more.
On Thursday, November 15th, Ray Bewsher, Director of Human Resources at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, and myself hosted twenty Extended Learning Coordinators. There is a strong focus in New Hampshire high schools (and middle schools) to offer students learning experiences outside the traditional classroom setting. These experiences are called Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs). ELOs are proficiency-based, relevant, flexible, and supported by adult community members.
We began the morning with an ice-breaker. The coordinators each wore a sticky note on their back and they had to ask yes or no questions to determine what their job was. The jobs ranged from chef, expeditor, and front desk manager to HVAC, controller, and night auditor. One of the jobs was coffee break attendant. When Ray stated it was one of the more coveted roles at the hotel, the coordinators were shocked. “Why?” they asked. Ray went on to tell them the coffee break attendant worked mainly first shift, Monday – Friday, and the attendant made $50,000. “WHAT?!” they exclaimed. This outburst was followed by two teachers raising their hands stating this was more than they were making in education. This was exactly the type of exercise we needed to emphasize the earning potential in hospitality!
The group later embarked on a tour of the hotel and saw everything- sales, the spa, the pool, banquets, the kitchen, and the “underbelly” where the laundry, engineering, and HVAC live. Along the way, Ray discussed jobs in each area and highlighted an entry level position and its salary followed by what it would take to progress in the role and in responsibilities.
After a recent run in with the coordinators, the group still expressed interest and excitement surrounding the hospitality tour. Ray and I met our goal of showcasing the industry to the ELO Coordinators who are on the front line with the next generation of employees each day. They are now ambassadors of the opportunities, pathways, and growth we know the industry provides. The hope is the coordinators register their students when Hospitality Month arrives in April.
Registration for the 2nd annual New Hampshire Hospitality Month will open in January. Please let Amie Pariseau at apariseau@nhlra.com if you would like to participate.