Demand for hospitality graduates on rise!

FAST FACTS
Participating Institutions: IHM Bangalore; Lovely Professional University; Institute of Hotel & Tourism Management, MDU Rohtak; Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, (Manipal University), Army Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology
Duration: Usually 3 years; some institutes offer 4-year degrees
Selection process: A few institutes admit on the basis of entrance test, some do on the basis of 12th class marks
Recruiters: Hotels, restaurants, fast food chains, academic institutions, aviation industry

THE hospitality sector is booming. “Many big hotel and restaurant chains are coming up with their new projects in metros as well as Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities,” shares Sunil Pahul, Regional Manager-Sales and Marketing at Brinjal Hotels, based in Haridwar. Those wanting to join this profession can consider a Bachelor’s programme in hospitality as it provides numerous career opportunities.


Overall scenario
“It is an employee’s market currently. In terms of supply of number of rooms, it is immense,” says Major Rajesh Chauhan, Chief People Officer- Lemon Tree Hotels. “Over and above this many international players like Acore, Hilton, Four Seasons have also come to India where hotel management graduates can be absorbed” he adds.

The prerequisites
According to Dr. Ashish Dahiya, Assistant Professor at Institute of Hotel and Tourism Management, MDU, Rohtak, the hospitality industry endeavours to provide impeccable services to guests at all times, and hence employees are literally brand ambassadors. In a fresh graduate, the industry places a lot of emphasis on soft skills - excellent spoken and written English, self-confidence, good inter-personal skills, dedication to services, computer awareness, pleasing personality and a polite, positive attitude are the key attributes.
 
Curriculum: An eye on minute details
During first year, students have to learn the basics related to the hospitality industry. “Apart from how to serve, a hotel management student gets to learn minute details such as measurement of tea cup, plate and cutlery etc. This is what makes him/her different from an untrained professional,” shares Davesh Rawal, General Management Trainee, Novotel, Hyderabad Airport Hotel. During the second year, the student goes for an industrial training of 20 weeks and learns hands-on. In the last year, the students study about finance, business environment, strategic management and so on. 

Focus on practical learning
Institutes give students an opportunity to interact with industry people on a regular basis during the course so that they are able to update them as per the needs of this dynamic industry. “Our teaching pedagogy includes industry integration, assignments, classroom interactions, field tours, guest lectures, live projects with industry, role plays, seminars, conferences, workshops, skill-based practical inputs and two industrial internships of six months each dedicated to skill development,” shares Dr. Dahiya.


Course makes you ready for job
The good thing is that UG in Hotel Management makes students competent enough to easily get a job in the hospitality sector. “Students after doing the course work in front office, housekeeping, accommodation operations, food and beverages (F&B) production, and F&B servicing,” shares Naina Bhatnagar, Senior HR Executive at a hotel and restaurant chain in Gurgaon.

Job roles and salary
A fresh hotel management graduate has an opportunity to either join as a management trainee and work in all departments one by one, or join a single domain. One can join Front Office operations, as Front Office Assistant or Front Office Executive. In F&B services, one can become a steward or join the F&B production department as a trainee. There are opportunities in Meeting & Events Operations Management, Restaurant Operations, HR Management, and Marketing & Sales. The salary packages depend on the company. In a three- star property, the take home salary per month may start from Rs. 8000, in a four star Rs. 12,000 and in a five star it could be Rs. 20,000 onwards.

ASHISH DAHIYA Associate Prof- Institute of Hotel & Tourism Management, MDU, Rohtak "This course gives you an insight on operational skills and acquaints you with management approaches in addition to the communication and personality requirements of the trade." MAJOR RAJESH CHAUHAN Chief People Officer- Lemon Tree Hotels "For joining hotel industry one should have common sense but common sense is very uncommon these days. At end of the day you are serving people. It is all about playing host." DAVESH RAWAL GMT, Novotel Hyderabad  Airport Hotel "A Hotel Management student gets to learn minute details such as measurement of tea cup, plate and cutlery. This is what makes him/her different from an untrained professional"