Career Outlook

The hospitality and tourism industry is one of the fastest growing segments in Vermont, the U.S. and across the globe, ensuring a strong demand for employees and managers for decades to come. In Vermont and nationally, the hospitality industry is currently the second largest employer. As in any competitive industry, there is a clear need for educated, well-trained people to staff, manage and create the thousands of hotels, restaurants, resorts and special events that will service the rising demand for these services.

Jobs Reported by Recent Graduates

• General Manager, Troy Pub & Brewery & Revolution Hall music venue (Troy, NY)
• Banquet Manager, The Inn at Essex (Essex, VT)
• Assistant Event Coordinator, Delaney Meeting & Event Management (Burlington, VT)
• Catering Coordinator, Hilton Hotel & Conference Center (Burlington, VT)
• Assistant Event Planner, Food For Thought Catering (New York, NY)
• General Manager, Days Inn (Colchester, VT)
• Front Office Manager, Marriott Residence Inn (Portsmouth, NH)
• Assistant Event Coordinator, The Waterview (Monroe, CT)
• Kitchen Manager, Splash! at the Boathouse (Burlington, VT)
• Catering Sales Manager, Sheraton-Burlington Hotel & Conference Center
• Arts & Entertainment Assistant, Burton Snowboards (Burlington, VT)
• Event Coordinator, Champlain College Conference & Event Cente
• Assistant Manager, One Flight Up Restaurant at the Burlington International Airport
• Front Desk Agent, Imperial Hotel (Tokyo, Japan)
• Event Coordinator, Washington-Dulles Airport Marriott (Washington, DC)
• Cruise Catering Director, Northern Lights Cruise Ship (Lake Champlain, VT)

Career Opportunities

Hotels & Restaurants

The lodging and foodservice industries offer a tremendous number of opportunities, whether you desire to own your own business or work your way up the corporate ladder--and there are lucrative and creative positions available all over the world! Here is a quick sampling of career roles in hotels and restaurants:

• Hotel general manager
• Marketing and sales director
• Conference and event coordinator
• Food and beverage director
• Catering director
• Front desk manager
• Executive housekeeper
• Country innkeeper
• Restaurant general manager
• Regional manager
• Dining room manager or Maitre d'
• Kitchen or bar manager
• Private club manager
• Corporate or college foodservice director
• Private caterer

Event Management

Events planning and management encompasses a wide array of business, social, cultural, educational, sport, music, and political activities. From private parties and promotional events to massive conventions and city-wide celebrations, these are just a few of the roles available in the field of event management:

• Association Meeting/Convention Planner
• Trade Show Director
• Conference Coordinator
• Special Event Coordinator for a venue
• Festival Director
• Wedding or Party Planner
• Public Relations Director
• Fundraising Director for non-profit organization
• Corporate Training Director
• Convention Bureau Marketing & Sales Manager

Earnings Potential

A recent nationwide survey by HVS Executive Search for the year 2005 revealed the following average salary ranges for hotel and restaurant managers, depending on the size and type of the property. Note that salaries will vary significantly depending on the size, location and type of hotel or restaurant you manage. Generally, the larger and more expensive the property is (more revenue, more employees), the higher the salaries for the managers.

• Hotel General Manager: $55,112 - $150,000
• Front Office Manager: $31,000 - $67,000
• Director of Marketing Sales: $64,767 - $106,527
• Executive Housekeeper: $40,314 – $58,682
• Food & Beverage Director: $61,902 - $87,418
• Catering Sales Manager: $35,824 - $41,795
• Restaurant General Manager, full-service: $51,358
• Assistant Restaurant Manager: $37,507
• Regional Manager, chain restaurant: $77,567

According to The Meeting Professional’s 2002 Salary Survey, average earning in the field of event management were:

• Corporate Meeting Planner: $39,500 – $76,500
• Meetings/Conference Manager: $54,598 - $65,951
• Event Coordinator: $41,500 - $47,113
• Independent Event Planner (consultant): $55,000 - $64,231 (source: Money Magazine and Salary.com)

Note that for each of the positions listed above, the top salaries were significantly higher than these averages!