What is Hospitality Management?
Hospitality management is a field of study and career path that involves learning about the administrative, operational and commercial activities of businesses in the hospitality industry. Workers in hospitality management typically work in industries such as food and beverage, travel and tourism, hotel accommodation and event management, health and wellness, and so on. There is often a misconception that people who work in the hospitality industry deal with people and chores. But there is so much more to their jobs than just that! Responsibilities of hospitality managers, for example, include tasks like:
- Accounting
- Interviewing, training and managing staff
- Assisting with day-to-day operations
- Optimizing business performance
- Fielding customer complaints and inquiries
- Ensuring health and safety compliance
As you can see, the hospitality industry is an incredibly dynamic and evolving industry encompassing many different fields. Within each area of the industry, different organizations have different departments and career opportunities for professionals. From customer services to strategy to sales and marketing, the opportunities are endless!
Work in an Ever-Evolving Industry
Although many businesses experienced hardships when the pandemic started, the hospitality industry underwent a big change. Specifically, innovative solutions and new business models were created to adapt to the situation. Restaurants, hotels and other industries started taking online orders, offering virtual experiences from home and providing contactless services to their customers to solidify relationships.
If you are also interested in developing a global background, hospitality is a great option. Big-name companies like Airbnb, Uber and Marriott have offices all over the world, so you’ll always have a chance to experience different cultures and be part of a global team. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to meet people from different countries and develop friendships and relationships with like-minded peers, mentors, and important figures in the industry.
Develop In-Demand Skills
Studying hospitality management at Vancouver Community College (VCC) is not just about learning the ins and outs of the industry. It is also about acquiring the necessary and tangible in-demand skills that employers look for when screening candidates. Not only do you learn the management skills and operation processes, but you will also have the chance to learn and develop other skills relating to teamwork, leadership, budgeting, optimizing, selling, and so on.
During your two years in the post-degree diploma program, you can expect to participate in interactive lectures, seminars, group discussions, role plays, case studies, career development and real-life learning activities within the hospitality industry. For example…
- Classroom time will mostly be dedicated to learning and understanding theory, as well as the practical application of necessary concepts and skills. Students will also be taught how to use critical-thinking, problem-solving and negotiation techniques to make good decisions.
- Group projects and discussions will help strengthen a student’s ability to lead and work effectively with others, as well as their understanding of course topics.
- Case studies and authentic learning activities will focus on self-reflection on strengths and weaknesses, developing career plans, and creating strong portfolios and industry networks.
VCC’s Hospitality Management Post-Degree Diploma
Some brief information about the Hospitality Management program:
- Tuition: $30,926 (plus other applicable fees)
- Credential: Post-Degree Diploma
- Length: 2 years
- Hours: Full-time
- Delivery: Class-based
- Campus: Downtown (250 West Pender Street)
- Start Dates: January, May, and September
Admission Requirements
For this specific program, you will…
- Need a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university as determined by the institution
- Have completed English 12 with a minimum C+ grade or equivalent under the BC education system, have English Language Proficiency at a minimum English 12 C+ level, or have an IELTS Academic overall score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0), or a Duolingo English test score of 115. More information on VCC’s English entrance requirements for international students can be found here.
*Applicants who do not meet the program admission requirements may be admitted based on an interview with the Department leader or representative.
In general…
- Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
- International applicants must be 17 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
- All VCC applicants are required to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom. English requirements vary by program.
- For details, visit VCC International – English Requirements.
See here for more details about the program, or visit the official VCC website to learn more about its offerings.
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