Georgia State program offers entry into hospitality field

Students are surrounded by world-class tourist attractions, the country’s second-largest number of hotel rooms and they can walk to the Georgia World Congress Center, the fourth-largest convention center in the nation. The hospitality program has a learning center at the GWCC, where students can meet industry leaders and volunteer at trade shows and meetings.

“We have a 65-member board of industry advisors to keep our curriculum current,” Cannon said. “This is a dynamic industry, so our content changes to fit industry needs.”

Georgia State offers a bachelor’s of business administration with a major in hospitality administration, a minor in hospitality and certificates of credit (four courses each) in hospitality operations, aviation management, culinary management, event management and trade show and meetings management. Tuition is $3,641 per semester for full-time (12 credit hours), in-state students, plus fees, books and housing.

“The certificates are especially popular with people who have been working in the industry and want to become more marketable,” Cannon said. “But we’re also seeing career-changers who are using the certificates to open a restaurant, manage a bed-and-breakfast or get into event planning.”

Good people skills aren’t the only requirements to work in hospitality. “It takes someone who is service-oriented and understands the dynamics of a service culture,” Cannon said.

Hospitality workers also need good financial and technical skills for the social media aspect of sales, marketing and customer service. Hospitality managers need good leadership skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

“More and more, employers are looking for a multifaceted person, and that’s what we stress with our courses, projects, internships and work requirement,” Cannon said.

Hospitality majors are required to work 600 hours in the industry. Working at hotels, restaurants and event venues gives graduates an advantage in the job market. So does having worked on real-world market analysis projects in class and internships with top employers.

“We take on a lot of projects which allow our students to interact with corporate and city leaders,” Cannon said.

The school placed 21 interns with Coca-Cola Co. at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Graduates find jobs through restaurant and hotel management training programs or as assistant managers at private clubs, convention centers, event-planning companies, travel agencies and airports. Starting salaries range from $38,000 to $45,000, with opportunities for advancement.

“This is an exciting time to be in hospitality, as tourism is growing again,” Cannon said.

For information, call 404-413-7615 or go to www.robinson.gsu.edu/hospitality.

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