The hospitality industry is bustling with more than 16.8 million jobs as of December 2023. This vibrant industry provides professionals from a wide variety of disciplines with unlimited opportunities to grow rewarding careers. The adjacent meetings and events industry drives measurable economic impact on destinations throughout the US and the world.
No matter your professional expertise, your skillset may be transferable into the hospitality or events industries and you will benefit from earning an advanced degree to accelerate your future.
Communications, Marketing and PR
Make an impact on an organization through:
- Event marketing
- Media outreach
- Brand awareness
- Building customer loyalty and engagement
- Promoting sales through tradeshows and conferences
“PR, communications and marketing majors find their way into our industry,” said Candy Flynn, student experience manager of HTM and MEM masters programs for SDSU. “They produce events that drive behavior change through attendee engagement, education, networking, collaboration, motivation, incentives, brand awareness, and connecting buyers and sellers.”
Business Administration
As a business major, a solid foundation in finance, sales, accounting, supply chain management, and human resources management makes you valuable as an operations leader across hospitality and tourism professions.
“All business majors are naturally a good fit for a post-graduate education and career in hospitality. Our program prepares students for senior leadership roles in operations, revenue management, asset management, public or private venue management, food and beverage, sales, and multi-unit/corporate roles,” Flynn said.
Theater
While working in hospitality and theater may sound unrelated, performing arts, theater and stage management professionals are well-suited for an event production career. Creating visually appealing mainstages, managing audio/visual/lighting, designing tradeshows and managing venues are places where creativity and logistics come together.
Social Sciences
Professionals with a heart for people like psychology, sociology, and even criminal justice have some common values, serving others and making a positive impact on the world. These qualities find a good home in guest experience industries where you have the power to uplift people every day.
Recreation Management
Recreation and leisure activities align closely with hospitality, though often focus more on community, activity and wellbeing. Recreation management encompasses sporting events, festivals, and community gatherings, which still have business elements in the planning, permitting and budgetary processes. A well-rounded skillset is critical to advancement in public and private agencies. A master’s in hospitality & tourism management is a powerful alternative to a traditional graduate degree in public policy.
“Majoring in recreation management often leads to working in government parks, private lifestyle and leisure businesses, sports associations and clubs, and resort hotels. Community events, festivals, and sports tournaments are often in the mix,” said Flynn.
Culinary and Nutrition Sciences
Food and beverage careers in the hospitality industry may begin with a nutrition, food science, or culinary background.
“Those who major in food or nutrition sciences will benefit from the leadership and business coursework to round them out professionally,” said Flynn. “In addition to hotel and resort careers, they might work in institutional food and beverage leadership, like hospitals, higher education, and large public venues.”
Why Global Campus
You can complete most of your courses for our Master’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management or Meeting and Event Management program from the comfort of your home with two immersive on-campus weeks to develop your leadership and collaborate with your cohort mates. Courses are taught by seasoned industry leaders who care about your future.
If you’re looking for a quick overview of meeting and event management rather than a degree, SDSU’s professional certificate in Meeting and Event Planning is the perfect fit. You can earn your certificate in six months entirely online.
Whether you work internally at a hotel or serve a hospitality client externally, our hospitality degree and certificate programs can help prepare you to succeed in the hospitality industry.
