Overview of Hospitality and Tourism
Hospitality and Tourism focuses on the management, marketing and operations of restaurants and food services, lodging, attractions, recreation activities, and conventions.
Get details on the salary and job security of these Hospitality and Tourism careers:
- Administrative Services and Facilities Managers
- Food Service Managers
- Lodging Managers
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
- Travel Agents
Get Career Ready for Hospitality & Tourism
Find out what it takes to land a career in Hospitality & Tourism
Earn a Degree
To work in the field of Hospitality and Tourism, it is recommended to have a strong background in project management, leadership and delegation, written and oral communication skills, and excellent customer service.
Majors, minors, and degree information can be found in the Mason Catalog.
Along with your degree, professional certifications like these may increase your employment options:
- Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP)
- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
- Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE)
- Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)
- Destination Management Certified Professional
- Digital Events Strategist Certification (DES)
Gain Experiences
Employers are expecting candidates to have at least six to twelve months of related experience to be competitive for full-time positions. Gain experience while you are a student at Mason.
Here are the types of experiences most valued by Hospitality & Tourism employers, and where to find them:
Internships/Jobs
Volunteer
- Celebrate Fairfax
- Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning
- National Cherry Blossom Festival
- Check VolunteerMatch to search for events in your area needing volunteers.
Leadership
- Patriot Activities Council
- Social Chair or Event Chair of any student organization
Market Yourself
It is important for you to be able to clearly communicate the knowledge, skills and experiences you have gained in and outside of the classroom.
Below are top ways to showcase your qualifications to Hospitality and Tourism employers:
Resumes
Career Ready
Career ready Mason grads have gone on to work for Hospitality & Tourism employers, such as:
Cvent |
Delta Airlines |
Disney |
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts |
Hilton |
Marriot International |
National Park Service |
Visit Saudi |
Join the Hospitality and Tourism community
Get involved with academic and professional Hospitality & Tourism societies to grow your network while you're a student.