Doctor Alan Stutts

Advancement
How far you can go as a manager in the hospitality industry depends not just on your talent and ambition, but also on the types of establishments you work in. The owner/manager of a small country inn has no place to which to advance. An assistant shift manager in a chain hotel has the potential to move into the executive offices of the corporation that owns the chain.

In food service, a willingness to relocate often is essential for advancement to positions with greater responsibility. Managers typically advance to larger establishments or regional management positions within restaurant chains. Some eventually open their own food service establishments.

Large hotel and motel chains may offer better opportunities for advancement than small, independently owned establishments, but relocation every several years is often is necessary. The large chains have more extensive career ladder programs and offer managers the opportunity to transfer to another hotel or motel in the chain or to the central office. Career advancement can be accelerated by the completion of certification programs offered by various associations. These programs usually require a combination of course work, examinations, and experience. Outstanding lodging managers may advance to higher level manager positions.