"Never the same day twice"…
That's the top consensus from our recent tour and interview with hotel and hospitality executives at The Boston Marriott Copley Place… part of the world-famous Marriott Hotels Group.
Keep reading for more info on your #CareerPath into the Hotel Industry...
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Education
There are MANY JOBS in the hotel industry with ENTRY LEVELS at EVERY STAGE from High-School diploma to 2-Years Community College to 4-Year degrees...
Training: Internships, Apprenticeships, Trainee Programs all the way to "Global Leadership Development Programs" are available at The Marriott and most major hotels.
Salary: $$,$$$ to $$$,$$$ +
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The Tour
Thirteen youth from Boston Area Public Schools were recently hosted by the hotel's assistant Human Resources Manager, Tom C. Tom created an unforgettable day starting with a tour of the various rooms that the Marriott offers - from a double occupancy to a luxury suite and even a room designed strictly for top-tier meetings or even private parties. (Insider scoop: The views were Ah-mazing!)
From there we gathered in one of their luxury conference rooms to hear from four of their young executives who all started their careers at 18-19 years old. (scroll down to see their career paths).
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Fast-Facts
-- Everyone who works at The Boston Marriott Copley Place is called a "Host" - because no matter what department you work in - your goal is to always make your guests feel welcome… like a great host. 1150 Rooms - 620 Hosts.
-- Every employee wears a Puzzle-Piece pin on their lapel. This is to remind them that they are all an integral piece of the puzzle that makes up the hotel as a whole.
-- Because hotels are 24/7 businesses - there are many jobs - so many employees work in shifts to make sure everything runs seamlessly for their hundreds of guests.
-- And it's not just those faces that you see at the front desk… (continued below)
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Types of Careers
-- Love cooking? The Marriott has food available to their guests 24/7 - which means the kitchen must always be staffed. There is always a demand for chefs and kitchen-prep employees.
-- Love working with your hands? The hotel's 'Engineering and Maintenance Departments' handle everything from elevator repairs to conference room and ball-room party set-ups and everything in between.
-- Are you a people person? The front desk attendants, concierge and Bell men are the first faces the guests see and create the guest's first impression of the hotel.
-- Love cars (and tips!)? There are valet attendants - 24/7.
-- Are you a Techie? There are dedicated team members who take care of all the technology that the hotel needs to operate - from the check-in process to setting up the conference room's video and audio equipment.
-- Love to organize? Are you a "Domestic goddess"? Start your hotel career in housekeeping!
-- Are you more a behind-the-scenes person? There are many jobs in the Administrative Department of the hotel that oversee not just the guest's and hotel's needs - but the Employee's needs as well.
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JEROME'S STORY
Jerome started as a bellman at 19 years old and worked in that department for over 3 years. He then moved to the Front Desk where he was ultimately promoted to The Front Desk Supervisor, then to Assistant Manager and has now been picked to Lead the ENTIRE Housekeeping Department!
Even after all these jobs and promotions he says he still loves exploring all of the various hotel jobs and even hopes to one day work in Sales. The ambition and hard work that helped him rise to the Executive level (and the Executive pay-level !) will be just the ticket to get him there.
His favorite part of his #CoolCareer? He loves the day-to-day interaction with the guests and meeting people from all over the world.
ALFONSO'S STORY:
Alfonso at 19 years old didn't know what he wanted to do with his life. One day he was walking by the Copley Mall (in Boston) and thought… what about the hotel business? He applied at The Marriott and started as a barista with the 'Starbucks' there. (The Starbucks staff are actually Marriott employees).
He worked his way up to managing the Starbucks - which is the busiest Starbucks in Boston with over 7000 transactions per week! He did so well there in fact, that the Marriott recently promoted him to Assistant Manager of the Marriott's huge restaurant and Sports Bar, "Champions".
Alfonso credits his amazing success to his dedication to not only the hotel's guests but to his relationships with his staff. To that, he regularly checks in with them and he genuinely cares what's going on in their lives and with their families. His motto is 'Happy Hosts = Happy Guests'.
His mission: "I want to do for them (his staff) what someone did for me".
Best part? The interactions and connections you make with the guests and staff.
MICHAEL'S STORY:
Michael, who immigrated from Poland, started in the hotel business 12 years ago at 18 yrs. old.
He started at a small hotel in Florida where he worked as a window washer. If he was done early he would then help out the Housekeeping Department. Fast forward… He was ultimately made 'Supervisor' of the Housekeeping Department!
Later, when he heard about a new property opening in Florida, he applied for and was hired as: "Night Auditor". (more info) He worked his way up to the A.M. shift, then to A.M. Shift Leader and all the way up to Lead Supervisor of the Front Desk Operations.
He did that for several years and although he was quite successful at the small hotel, he dreamed of moving to a larger company but worried that he'd miss family and friends.
Michael ultimately decided that he was willing to make the sacrifice and take the risk to LEARN MORE. He took a position at 'The Intercontinental Hotel' in Boston and is now an executive with the Marriott Group.
Michael's Top-Tip? 'Cultivate and care for your Professional Network and never 'burn bridges'! Keep up with your Industry Connections and LinkedIn Connections. This is the best way to learn about new job-openings and get fast-tracked through the Interview process.'
His favorite perk of the Hotel Business? He always gets free or discounted rooms when he travels because he has so many friends in 'The Biz'!
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Where To Start
Any Age: Start your own "Personal Concierge" Business.
Create your own business cards and let neighbors, teachers, local business owners, friends and family know that YOUR SERVICES ARE FOR HIRE!
YOU CAN...
- Run errands, Do Post Office and Package Delivery runs and drop/offs...
- Custom dog-walking,
- Baby-sitting, After-School Sitting, Homework help and tutoring
- House Sitting and/or Pet Sitting
- Elderly-sitting and Elderly-Companionship (fast-growing service!)
- Grocery-shopping and grocery delivery service (for local homes and even restaurants!)
- Offer to wait for maintenance and service people at your clients home's when they are at work
- Lunch delivery services for local offices
- Love fashion? Offer your Personal Styling services, Tailoring, Ironing or Mending services
- Lawn and Garden maintenance
- House-keeping skills
- Become an UBER driver or a Valet Car Parker (LuxeValet.com)
Create your own business cards with: Zazzle.com, VistaPrint.com, MOO.com
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And make sure that you add your 'Concierge Service' to your resume! This shows self-motivation, ingenuity and creative thinking.
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Next Step: Ask local hotels if they accept interns. You may not get paid at first - but it's a great way to be on the 'inside' when jobs open up. Be a sponge and learn everything you can!
Watch for Career-Fairs that feature Hotel Groups and look out for Hotel and Travel Trade Shows in your area. Go in armed with your business cards and resume - because you never know who you might meet.
After H.S: If you choose - once out of High School, you can apply directly to Colleges and Universities that offer 'Hotel Programs'. These schools are ideal as they do a lot of recruiting after graduation so your first job is often secured before you graduate. Like glamour and bright lights?! The University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) has a world renown Hotel Administration Program.
Check Out All the Schools, Colleges and Universities that "Team Marriott" will be RECRUITING at!
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Learn More
Learn more about the Hotel Industry, key names and updates by reading and subscribing-to 'Hotel Industry' websites and newsletters such as:
Careers and The Marriott More Hotel and Hospitality Jobs
Got questions? Email us at: [email protected]
Good Luck in your new career! xx The A-Team
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