As a current or aspiring hospitality and tourism professional, earning a relevant master’s or advanced degree can help lay the foundation for your career and give you a boost as you break into the industry or advance to managerial roles as a hospitality and tourism professional.
As we continue to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and the effects it had on tourism and other related industries, the hospitality industry is flourishing again. With experts expecting more than 126 million new hospitality jobs in the upcoming decade, now is the prime time to earn an advanced degree and get a leg up for your future career.
What Can I Do With a Master’s in HTM
Earning a Master’s degree in hospitality and tourism Management (HTM) with SDSU Global Campus can provide you a leg up next to your peers. Some benefits of earning a master’s are gaining working experience, networking opportunities, new skills, more promotions, and internationally recognized qualifications.
Work Experience
One of the most hands-on aspects of earning a master’s degree is the required work experience. Our master’s program in HTM offers two classes that require work experience and real-world problem-solving.
The Systems Problems Resolutions course (HTM 690) allows students to design and implement an organizational change project for a hospitality company. The Seminar: Strategy Development and Critical Analysis in HTM course (HTM 780) allows students to construct a case study and presentation explaining it.
Our program also offers mentorship opportunities. As a student, you get paired with a mentor who works in HTM who can help provide helpful tips and advice on building your own career in hospitality and tourism.
“It’s really nice to have professionals in the hospitality industry you can talk to about your career path and where you want to be,” said food and beverage manager Victoria Rice. “Many conversations with (the program leaders) and my classmates had a huge impact on where I am today.”
Networking Opportunities
Being surrounded by like-minded professionals can benefit you. In an advanced program like our master’s in HTM, you’ll meet fellow go-getters and hospitality professionals. With students staying in the same cohort for the two-year duration of our master’s program, you’ll get to know each of your classmates quite well.
In addition to providing camaraderie and connections, networking can give you a leg up when searching for new jobs. According to an article published by Julia Freeland Fisher at CNBC, roughly 80% of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections.
“The experience with my classmates was great. We stay in touch to this day. I am part of a community; I felt supported throughout the program and continue to have great relationships with the faculty and mentors,” said former professional tennis player Milagros Sequera Huss.
Build New Skills
You will learn new soft and hard skills as a part of any advanced degree program. It’s crucial to pick up both skill sets, as 90% of talent acquisition professionals believe soft skills are just as important as hard skills.
Our HTM master’s program will prepare you for an executive management role in hospitality and tourism. You will learn more about soft skills like time management, leadership, and problem-solving and hard skills like financial planning, marketing, and strategic development.
“The HTM program keeps students abreast of where hospitality is now, where it is going, and how to effectively lead in the field,” said travel journalist Maggie Espinosa. “The professors are knowledgeable, accessible, and assign relevant coursework we can apply in today’s world.”
Top 5 Job Titles
By earning a master’s in HTM, you’ll have a wider variety of job opportunities. Some of the careers you may have a leg up securing are:
Lodging/Hotel Manager
As a lodging manager, you’ll supervise all hotel activities, meet guests’ expectations, maintain the budget, and train new employees. The average annual salary for this position is $61,910.
Food and Beverage Manager
If you work as a food and beverage manager, you’ll supervise all the moving parts of your restaurant’s menu. Some of your frequent tasks will include designing menus, maintaining inventory, and ensuring staff follow all guidelines. You’ll make an average annual salary of $67,130.
Operations Manager
As an operations manager, you get to oversee all operations. You’ll get to lead and inspire employees, evaluate company culture, and collaborate with stakeholders. You’ll earn an average annual salary of $78,130.
Director of Sales
Directors of sales supervise all sales activities. In this role, you’ll get to forecast potential sales, manage a team of salesmen and women, and report to stakeholders. The average annual salary for this position is $98,402.
Director of Security
The director of security ensures the guest and faculty safety on the property they supervise. In fulfilling this role, you’ll get to keep security records, train the security staff, and delegate how officers patrol the area. You’ll make an average annual salary of $98,449.
