Pathway: Entrepreneurship
Job: Lodging Manager

Job Description
Lodging mangers help their guests have a pleasant stay at their establishment by providing many of the comforts of home; specialized services (such as health spas) and business facilities (such as conference rooms) may be available, as well. Depending on the size of the establishment and the services offered, duties can vary significantly- from overseeing all aspects of operations to being responsible for specific areas of the business. Lodging managers are responsible for keeping their establishment efficient and profitable.

Even though some employees may advance to hotel management positions without education beyond high school, postsecondary education is still preferred and recommended.

Helpful High School Courses

Mathematics, Accounting, English, Computer Applications, Business

Working Conditions

• Typically work more than 40 hours per week
• Night and weekend work is common
• Relocation may be necessary for advancement in large hotel and motel chains

Salary Range

• 2003, Delaware’s average annual salary, $41,650
• 2003, Delaware’s average hourly wage, $20.03

Career Ladder Information

• Job opportunities are expected to be best for persons with college degrees in hotel or restaurant management
  
• Career advancement can be accelerated by the completion of certification programs offered by various associations
  
• Internships, part-time, or summer work are an asset to students seeking a career in hotel management
  
• Salaries of lodging managers vary greatly according to their responsibilities and the segment of the hotel industry in which they are employed, as well as the location and region where the establishment is located

Personal Qualities and Interests

      You:

• Are an effective communicator and able to get along with many different people, even in stressful situations
  
• Have good problem solving skills
  
• Have initiative, self-discipline, and are able to concentrate
  
• Are able to organize and direct the work of others

Did you know?

• Self-employed managers-primarily owners of small hotels and motels- held about 50% of the lodging manager positions in 2002
  
• Increasing business travel and domestic and foreign tourism will drive employment growth of lodging manager jobs

Additional Information

• Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco
• Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association http://www.ei-ahla.org
• The International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education http://www.chrie.org