5.6 Career Paths in the Lodging Industry

The lodging industry gives future employees many pathways to career success. Individuals who do not wish to pursue a degree in hospitality can enter the industry directly. They will be placed in entry-level positions with lower starting salaries. A unique benefit to the industry is that most properties prioritize staff training and promotions from within the organization. Many CEOs of major hotels started their careers at the front desk. It will take longer to work through the ranks without a degree, but it happens often. Individuals with a 2- or 4-year hospitality or business degree will fast-track through the ranks, be hired at a more advanced position, and have a higher starting salary. Whichever way an employee enters the industry, they will encounter additional certifications and training requirements on the job. Professional development may be job dependent, or it may be dictated by state or local laws requiring that certain employees in the hospitality industry hold key certifications. Well-managed properties likewise see value in cross-training staff whenever possible. During cross-training, many employees discover roles that are of more interest to them than their current job and can then move within the company to more satisfying roles. The lodging industry supports many job types, and the industry is unique in that it allows for both lateral and vertical movement in a company with continuous opportunities for training and salary growth. A 2025 study by Oxford Economics found that a property that hosts 100 daily occupied rooms supports 260 jobs, with 145 direct jobs and 115 indirect. The same study suggests that 1 in 25 U.S. jobs are in some way linked to lodging (Oxford Economics, 2025).

5.6.1 Certifications and Education Pathways

The lodging industry offers various certifications and educational pathways to help employees advance their careers. Entry-level workers should consider contacting the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) for certification opportunities. The AHLEI has certification programs for front desk representatives, guest room attendants, cooks, maintenance employees, and restaurant servers. Anyone starting in the industry would also benefit from their Certified Guest Service Professional program. Those employed in food and beverage would benefit from the ServSafe Food Handler & Manager Certification, proctored by the National Restaurant Association. Individual properties and counties might also require additional certification, depending on employee job duties.

Mid-level employees can advance their careers by obtaining additional certifications. AHLEI has two supervisor-level training programs. Their Hospitality Supervisor Certification provides training targeted at those wishing to qualify as supervisors and managers of the front desk, of housekeeping, or of food and beverage. Any supervisor who is responsible for training new employees benefits from the Hospitality Department Trainer Certificate. The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has a Revenue Management Certificate that many mid-level managers find beneficial. The training focuses on revenue management and reporting strategies, which are specific to lodging operations.

For those individuals wishing to move into executive-level management, many educational and certification pathways can aid in career advancement. AHLEI has several industry-standard certification programs, including one to become a Certified Hotel Administrator, designed for general managers, hotel owners, and senior executives. AHLEI also offers theHospitality Revenue Manager Certificate, which is specific to managers tasked with revenue generation, and a Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics, which focuses on data analysis and market trends in the hotel industry. Individual departments within the hotel industry also have executive-level certification programs such as the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) which is proctored by the Events Industry Council for those professionals wanting to advance their career in event management. Most of these certifications do have an educational fast-track path for those individuals who hold a degree in hospitality. Two- and four-year degree options are available for those looking for a degree in hotel management. An associate degree entails a two-year program that can be broadly focused in hospitality or business or more narrowly focused on hotel management. Then there are 4-year bachelor’s degree programs in hotel management, which are generally more robust. They may offer both general or specific degrees, depending on the individual university. Individuals can continue their education through a 2-year master’s program. A master’s in business administration or MBA is common but many universities do offer master’s programs specific to hospitality. The highest level of education possible is a PhD also known as a doctorate. Most educational pathways will also include opportunities for internships, mentorships, club involvement, and study abroad opportunities all with a hospitality focus. Whether individuals select certification or a degree, they have multiple ways to quickly climb the ladder in the lodging industry.

5.6.2 Hard and Soft Skills Needed to Succeed

To be successful in the lodging industry potential employees should possess specific hard and soft skills. Hard skills are technical skills specific to a job duty. Lodging employees should have good financial knowledge. They should understand budgeting, reporting, and forecasting. Basic Excel and Word processing skills will be valuable. Future employees will benefit from knowing common property management systems (PMSs). In addition, they should have good crisis and risk management skills. Depending on the specific sector of lodging that an employee wishes to enter, they may need additional technical skills. For example, food and beverage, event management, and sales each typically require a specific set of technical skills.

All employees should be well-versed in specific soft skills as well. Soft skills are those skills that are more closely related to personality traits or interpersonal skills. The most important soft skill is customer service, often referred to as having a “hospitality heart.” Future employees should have a strong desire to help people, to be hospitable, and to go above and beyond to assist guests in need. According to the Washington State Hospitality Association, employees should also have strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and be able to engage in active listening (Washington Hospitality Association, 2025). They must have a strong attention to detail and good time management skills. Additionally, successful employees must be able to work both in a team and independently and must be able to understand cultural differences. Future employees who have a blend of these hard and soft skills will be invaluable in the workforce.

5.6.3 Challenges and Rewards of a Career in Lodging

A career in lodging is fast-paced, guest-centered, and full of opportunities for continual growth. But like any industry, it comes with both challenges and rewards. One of the main challenges in the industry center on the fact that hotels and other lodging properties generally operate 24/7 365. This means that individuals employed in this sector can expect to work nights, weekends, and holidays. During peak season, shifts may be long and demanding. Work-life balance can be hard to achieve without focused effort. A career in this industry also means that meeting all guest expectations may not be feasible, so guest complaints, last-minute requests, and changes will have to be handled. The jobs within a property can be fast-paced and demanding, and entry-level positions can have low starting salaries.

However, employees reap many benefits from working in this industry. Employees have a direct impact on people’s lives, from producing weddings to helping to make memorable family vacations. Large chain properties have incentive programs that enable staff to travel between properties should an employee want to relocate out of state. They also offer travel incentive programs. These incentives often add up to free or quite inexpensive ways to travel for both employees and their families. No two days in this job will ever be the same. Employees get to meet new people from all over the globe. They also get to work flexible schedules and work in large teams. The job skills learned at lodging properties, such as budgeting, communication, and conflict management, are highly transferable to other industries. Lastly, the lodging industry has a fast track for career growth. Properties often promote within their ranks and cross-train employees. A career in lodging isn’t for everyone, but if you thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy working with people, and have both strong hard and soft skills, the work can be incredibly rewarding.

Attributions

1. Figure 5.6: 2023 Naturalization Ceremony: receiving certificates (35), by NPS / Jacob W. Frank, is available in the Public Domain as a U.S. Government work.
2. Figure 5.7: Skills Needed to Succeed in Lodging, by Angela Senter, is licensed under CC BY 4.0.