In essence, the ability to operate with the end in mind is very critical; this assertion underlines the importance of developing a career plan (Floyd, 2011). To this end, this report outlines the career plans that I intend to follow as a strive in the hotel management sector. The report is a necessitude due for a need to remain focused and set towards the achievement of a reputable career in the hospitality industry. The realization that a successful career is dependent on the ability to plan, and develop goals forms a key aspect for professionals.
Furthermore, in a global world where there are constant changes precipitated by advancements in technology and the need to changing tastes, it is has become increasingly important to set and objectives that allow for a constant evaluation of where one is, relative to where they want to be in the immediate
...future (Burke, 2002). In this regard, this report identifies the hospitality industry regarding both the industry's nature and opportunities it presents. Secondly, the report provides a breakdown of the short, intermediate, and long-term goals as an aspiring hotel manager. Finally, the report also provides the conclusions and recommendations drawn from the report.
Career Goals
The hospitality industry is the dynamic industry with tremendous opportunities and a fair share of challenges. Arguably, the industry is among the most indulging especially due to the prevailing need for interpersonal skills to handle the different people one meets on a daily basis. On the same breadth, hotel managers have an intricate role in ensuring that there is sanity in an industry that demands both time and devotion given the many hours of work required and the
demand for quality service that exists (Choudhury, 2013).
In this respect, some of the subjects that will be key in my final year include advanced food production, accommodation operation, front office management, research methodology, hotel financial management, and hotel law. In the end, each of these subjects will provide the impetus to become an efficient hotel manager. Ideally, given the existing commitment to become a reputable hotel manager, there exist many potential employment opportunities, that range from restaurants, hotels, cruise, and resorts. Notably, each of these potential employers seek out for the best candidates; this factor motivates the need to develop an intricate career plan.
Short-Term Goals
The key to success in any industry in modern day is to possess a wealth of knowledge and experience (Kong, Cheung, & Song, 2012). In this regard, the short-term career goals will include two internship programs each with a length of 4 months. The two internships will be one in a resort setting, and the other in a hotel –cum restaurant setting. The opportunity will allow me to experience the industry from a practical perspective and to evaluate my ability to operate in two different settings. Additionally, the fact that the internships will be part time engagements will also allow me to focus on learning two new languages. Currently, I am well proficient in English and French is already part of what I am working to achieve in school.
The two languages will be German and Spanish. Ideally, this goal is motivated by the many people I anticipate working with in my future career. Besides, the fact that the hospitality industry is boundless means that there are endless opportunities to work in
foreign settings. The proficiency in these languages may, therefore, present opportunities to work abroad and interact well with both employees and clients. In the short-term plan, I would also want to undertake a short one- month-long leadership training course (Wong & Chan, 2010).
The course will be at the end of the of the internship programs so that is can incorporate the experience I will have gathered during the internship period and the knowledge in languages to become a better leader. The time will, therefore, be spread in the following, the first eight months I will undertake two, four – months each internship programs. In the ninth and tenth month, I will undertake to learn the two languages, and finally, in the eleventh month of the first year, I will undertake a leadership short course. Regarding resources, the two courses will be funded by proceeds from the internship, which is not much but it is enough to pay off the tuition.
Midterm Term Goals
The intermediate goals are a critical part of any plan; this is because they form an important link between short-term and long-term objectives. One of the midterm goals will be to seek an opportunity to work in an overly busy setting as the first full-time job of my career. Research has proved that the most successful managers develop a tendency to embrace the most difficult challenges at the earliest opportunity (Pongsiri, 2012). In this regard, my intermediate goal will involve seeking to work five-star and four-star hotels regardless of the initial salary. The achievement of this goal will require a certain level of endurance and patience to concentrate on the substance, which is the
opportunity to learn, as compared to the financial aspect or the salary.
The other midterm goal will be to undertake basic accounting; this will require one and half years and will be important in the process of managing finances and developing an accountant’s perspective to issues (Pirnar, 2012). The resources need to accomplish this task will be sourced from the salary. Finally, the other midterm goal will involve furthering the technology ability to handle management issues. The goal, in this case, will involve understanding, the application of technology in accounting, management, and planning. The need to keep track of the changes in technology constantly is an important part aspect for a manager to ensure that command and control are not overshadowed by a more knowledgeable workforce.
Long-Term Goals
Arguably, the surest way to achieve command and control as a manager is to be vast with the operations in the industry. One of the long-term goals will be to seek an opportunity to undertake a master’s degree in hotel management, after four years in the industry the accumulated wealth will be uses to fund my master level education (Kong, Cheung, Song, 2012). A higher degree will ensure that not only will there be practical experience as the manager but also there will be a higher level of theoretical knowledge (Eva, 2015). The other long-term goal shall be to work in a cruise and resort setting as the head manager, this will be the highest level of achievement and will set the stage for the ultimate goal and desire, which is to own chain of hotels one day, and to become a respectable figure in the hospitality industry.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The
hospitality industry is dynamic and requires tremendous inputs for one to succeed as a hotel manager. The short term, midterm and long goals will, therefore, be achieved through a combination of advancements in education by seeking to further my accounting, leadership and management abilities. The goals will also involve learning more languages including German, Spanish, and French as an added advantage to better interpersonal skills in foreign settings (Jäämaa, 2015). Above all, in the next three-four years achieving a master in degree in hotel management will complete my career development plans. The recommendation will include better management of finances to ensure that there is enough cash flow to fund the goals. Secondly, there will be a need for time management and the will to sacrifice other desires so as to achieve my objectives.
References
- Burke, A. (2002). Career planning. Hollywood, FL: Frederick Fell Publishers.
- Choudhury, R. (2013). Managing Change. Journal Of Hotel & Business Management, 03(01). http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2169-0286.1000e111
- Eva M Smith, S. (2015). Hotel Revenue Management Strategies during Fall Foliage Travel Season. Journal Of Hotel & Business Management, 04(01). http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2169-0286.1000111
- Floyd, R. (2011). On Planning Your Career Career Consultation. IEEE Potentials, 30(3), 16-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/mpot.2011.940232
- Jäämaa, S. (2015). Cross-Culture Management for Foreign Managers at Hotel Industry in Thailand. JOAMS, 103-108. http://dx.doi.org/10.12720/joams.3.2.103-108
- Kong, H., Cheung, C., & Song, H. (2011). Hotel career management in China: Developing a measurement scale. International Journal Of Hospitality Management, 30(1), 112-118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2010.07.003
- Kong, H., Cheung, C., & Song, H. (2012). Determinants and outcome of career competencies: Perspectives of hotel managers in China. International Journal Of Hospitality Management, 31(3), 712-719. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2011.09.007 global
- Pirnar, I. (2014). Specifications For Effective Hotel Managers: View Of Izmir Hotels' Managers. Journal Of Ya?ar University, 9(33), 5583. http://dx.doi.org/10.19168/jyu.08588
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