Careers in Hospitality & Tourism
Are you interested in providing friendly, efficient, and attentive customer service? Do you think of creative ways to make a leisure experience truly unique and memorable? You are in the right place. Careers in Hospitality & Tourism span management, marketing, sports and entertainment, lodging and tourism, event planning, travel, recreation, and more. Explore this cluster to see if it’s a fit, then use our resources to launch your job, internship, or graduate school search.
Hailey Shastid-Wilson
Career Coach, CCI, HRTM, Architecture, Art, Music
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Example career paths and job titles
Hospitality/Hotel
- Operations Manager
- Property and Facility Manager
- Timeshare Manager
- Front Office Manager
- Catering Manager
- Exhibit Coordinator
- Conference and Convention Manager
- Reservations and Sales Guest Relations Coordinator
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Restaurant/Food Service
- Food Quality and Food Safety Manager
- Cooks/Chefs
- Menu Designer
- Food and Beverage Manager
- Hosts and Hostesses
- Food Safety Banquet and Catering Manager
- Cost Control
Tourism/Travel
- Travel Planner/Agent
- Reservations and Sales Coordinator
- Corporate Travel Manager
- Attraction Manager
- Tour Guide
- Hospitality Training & Education
- International Tourism Management
- Niche Travel Planner
- Tourism Promotions Manager
Overlap Areas
- Sales and Marketing
- Customer/Guest Services
- Human Resources/Training
- General Management
- Owner/Operator
Career resources
Explore the industry
Research career paths, typical job titles, and what it takes to enter this industry.
Build your network
Join student organizations at UT and connect with professional associations in this industry.
Apply on Handshake
Search this industry’s Handshake feed and use specialized job boards to find roles.
Get experience with Vol Edge
The How to Get Experience module covers finding internships, research, and other hands-on opportunities in a field like this one.
Explore the industry
Use this section to research career paths and start building skills to get prepared for this industry:
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Leisure and Hospitality
- Hospitality and Tourism Career Guide
- Tourism Planning Toolkit
- What is Ecotourism
- Chefs and Head Cooks Job Descriptions
- Culinary, Restaurant, and Hotel Career Opportunities
- International Association of Culinary Professionals
- Cultural Tourism
Please consider viewing other industry clusters pages besides Hospitality & Tourism, as there can be overlap, especially if you are interested in the business, marketing, or event-planning aspects of this industry.
Student organizations and campus involvement
Use this section to learn about UT student organizations and local platforms where you can network with professionals and peers in this industry. Check with your advisor or department to learn about opportunities related to the Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management field. Below are a few examples of student organizations and local involvement opportunities:
Professional organizations
Professional associations are a great way to learn about the industry, find job listings, and network. Many offer student membership options. Below are a few examples of professional organizations:
- American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA)
- American Hotel and Lodging Association
- American Culinary Federation
- School Nutrition Association
- Hospitality Net
- Institute of Food Technologists
- National Food Processors Association
- National Restaurant Association
- National Association of Black Hotel Owners (NABHOOD)
Job and internship resources
Check out these industry-specific job boards in addition to our Handshake feed below:
Graduate school resources
Considering graduate study in hospitality, tourism, or related fields? Use these resources to explore programs and prepare your application:
Jobs on Handshake: Hospitality & Tourism
Are you interested in exploring opportunities in this industry? Check out Handshake, where you can find personalized job recommendations, career events, and networking opportunities.
Explore other industries
Ready to plan your next step in hospitality and tourism?
Talk to your Industry Career Coach about your major, your career path, or your next experience. They’ll help you map the steps from where you are to where you want to land.