Today, you can find a lot of information on the topic of studying abroad in the field of hospitality. Even though there is a lot of information, the hospitality industry is still overgrown with myths that students and parents believe in.
During individual consultations, we often encounter false beliefs, and in this article, we want to dispel them a little, and also to reassure parents and students and convince them that choosing a university of hospitality is the first step to a prestigious international career.
We understand that choosing a course and an educational institution in the field of hospitality is quite a serious step for parents and students. The goal of all educational agencies is to help make the right choice, which is based on an understanding of the industry, the university, and the country of study. Studying abroad is not an easy task for every student. As a student, I often got some professional help online, when I needed to write my paper, for example.
And so, what myths do students and parents believe in:
1. My son/daughter will become a chef
We often hear this answer from parents when they are asked to consider studying at universities of hotel and restaurant management in Switzerland, the USA, Spain, the UK, or Canada. The belief that hospitality schools produce only chefs is erroneous.
Culinary Arts Schools are often engaged in training specialists in the field of cooking, restaurant business, and restaurant management. Universities of hospitality can also have chef training programs — Bachelor of Culinary Arts.
Studying at universities of hospitality provides an opportunity to get a business education that will allow you to open your own business, develop your business in the hospitality industry or work in the hospitality industry in managerial positions.
The training course of each of the programs includes mandatory practice in the kitchen or a restaurant, students study winemaking, cooking, or service. But to become a chef, this course is not enough, but it is enough to become an industry leader with knowledge of all its nuances.
2. Hospitality is the work for a maid or at best at the reception
The first association that comes to mind when we hear the word “hospitality” is a hotel. And when we think about the work of the hotel, we remember the maids, the reception, the doorman, and other service personnel. Is this the future we want for our children? Of course not!
When staying in a hotel, we rarely meet general managers, heads of finance, marketing, HR, sales, or supply departments. We don’t even think that the hospitality industry includes event agencies that organize events of various levels, from festivals to international summits. The sphere of luxury objects (branded boutiques, fashion houses, PR agencies) is always in search of graduates of universities of hospitality. And these are just a few examples of a successful career.
Most likely, after university, you will not work as a maid or a doorman, but you will be taught how to make a bed, clean different types of tiles, clean rooms or receive guests at the reception. Without such skills, it is difficult to become a manager, because you will need to manage the service staff if we are talking about a career in a hotel.
3. Universities provide students with jobs immediately after graduation
In pursuit of the best hospitality universities in the world, students often think that the university’s rating, its prestige, depends on which companies the university employs its graduates.
Indeed, all universities, without exception, take care of the employment of their graduates, for this purpose students are provided with contacts of companies that are in search of specialists. BUT the university can’t get you a job, but it can provide all the necessary conditions for the search.
And yes, 90% of graduates of Glion and Les Roches universities and other hospitality schools find a job in the first 6 months after receiving their diploma.
4. I can become a general manager of a hotel immediately after receiving a bachelor’s or master’s degree
Every university graduate can become a manager, manager of a hotel, or a hotel, but not immediately. Especially when it comes to working in such well-known hotel chains as Mariott, Hilton, Four Seasons, etc. You can not avoid career growth, which begins with initial positions.
Tune in for a few years of hard work and the position of general manager of the hotel can become yours!
5. You don’t need a diploma to work in the hospitality industry
We often hear this argument from those students who believe that working in the hospitality industry is working as a service staff. Indeed, for many positions of service personnel, a diploma is not needed, but you will definitely be asked for a diploma if you want to be a department head or a hotel manager. Moreover, if your goal is an international career, a diploma from hospitality schools will be useful for you here.
6. Training in the field of hospitality is unreasonably expensive
Training in hospitality schools is considered one of the most expensive, but such a high cost is fully justified by the costs of training students.
Training in hospitality schools is based on a practical approach. During the training, you will learn in practice the service of inexpensive restaurants, prepare delicious dishes, work in the field of luxury brands, etc.
In Swiss universities of hospitality, the cost of studying for 1 semester can reach 40,000 Swiss francs, but if studying in Switzerland is expensive for you, more affordable education in the hospitality industry is offered by countries such as Canada or Spain.
Choosing a higher education in the field of hospitality is a serious and responsible step. The most important criterion that should be used in choosing a university of hospitality is the desire to study, work and develop in the hotel and tourism business industry. After all, it is then that you will be able to reach heights when this sphere will appeal to you.