Hospitality & Tourism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OP here- thanks for the info!

My son also has always been obsessed with restaurants and hotels. As someone who paid for undergrad working in restaurants, I have discouraged it as a longer term career due to the hours, lifestyle etc.

Cornell is known to be a solid option but is not a guaranteed admit and I don’t think we can afford it. I have heard great things about the UNLV program and could probably get merit aid but have serious concerns about kid going to LV for school. So I have looked at EHL and others in Switzerland online a bit. Could be interesting- great idea to check out the summer program. Curious why your parents did not like Geneva?

Well... my mom traveled constantly for work, all over Europe, a few days at a time, so she was exhausted. Effectively, she was the European office of her company so there were no coworkers around, and she didn't really get a chance to integrate into life there. My dad was the trailing spouse and enjoyed himself most of the time, but made zero attempt to learn French, so that's on him. Plus, life in Switzerland can be rules-intensive (e.g. limited times for running washer and dryer in your own apartment, please limit toilet flushing after 10pm etc) and my parents found this very annoying (ironically, since they were so stern with us when we were growing up).

Obviously the situation would be different for kids in school. EHL, at least, is very international and the program is English-taught. I do think there's an expectation that you learn French, though, which IMO is great. Any sensible person (i.e. not my dad ) would see it as a necessary skill.

There are also a few programs at CA schools (SF and San Diego State, Cal Poly SLO) though they may be more difficult admits as OOS? Mine was hesitant about UNLV because it sounded like a high percentage of commuter students -- also doesn't do well in extreme heat. In any case, best of luck to yours, whatever he decides. I do think Cornell wants to see work experience and interest in/a passion for that particular industry on the essays, vs a way to get in the door and transfer to Dyson or whatever. If it's his thing, may as well try and see how it goes?

That is a great story! Thanks! My kid is doing an IB Career program in HS that has hotel internships as a class option so it will be a good way to try it out.

[Anonymous]

Do a good business school.

[Anonymous]

Florida International isn’t a prestigious school overall, but the hospitality school is excellent. Our friend’s son is getting tons of hands-on experience, building a network, and genuinely loving his college experience.

Lots of merit money available+ well-paying part-time/event jobs during the school year.

https://hospitality.fiu.edu/students/get-involved/sobewff/

[Anonymous]

Penn State has a hospitality management program.

[Anonymous]

Cornel hospitality grads mostly go into REITS.

[Anonymous]

University of South Carolina has an excellent hospitality school and a separate renowned business school.

[Anonymous]

University of New Hampshire also has a school, as does Penn State, Va Tech, Unlv, Michigan state and FIU.

If you want to be a GM of a hotel or travel a lot (mostly domestically) as you move up in the hotel industry on property, then be good at your job (very operational, admin, service industry focused etc). A specific degree is not even needed. Languages are helpful, but it’s also hard for an American to be employed on other continents without dual citizenship or sponsorship, which is uncommon.

The reality is, the non glamorous business travel, the hours, and the customer service aspects and low pay are the tough things to work through.

[Anonymous]

Cornell or Michigan State, or similar level. Only at a U known for this program - otherwise, major in something else.

[Anonymous]

Michigan State has a well known program in this area. There is a hotel on Campus that is run by students as a part of the program.

[Anonymous]

Here's another, less competitive than Cornell but still with horrible weather!

https://www.rit.edu/study/hospitality-and-tourism-management-bs

/CNY native

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's another, less competitive than Cornell but still with horrible weather!

https://www.rit.edu/study/hospitality-and-tourism-management-bs

/CNY native

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's another, less competitive than Cornell but still with horrible weather!

https://www.rit.edu/study/hospitality-and-tourism-management-bs

/CNY native

OP here and I like the quant heavy curriculum of this program. Thanks for sharing.

[Anonymous]

The answer, assuming you can't get into Cornell, is UNLV. Go to college in Vegas and have a blast!

[Anonymous]

Check out Auburn. They just built a beautiful new building for the hospitality management program, and the students graduate with a minor in business. I have a friend whose daughter is studying there and has had a great experience.

https://humsci.auburn.edu/hosp/ugrad/

[Anonymous]

Hospitality and tourism is an incredible field. Just check out what the top CEOs make at conventions and visitor bureaus—-

https://skift.com/2024/05/06/americas-best-paid-tourism-marketers/amp/