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Hotel & Restaurant Management
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of companies are included in the Hotel & Restaurant industry?
The hotel and restaurant industry provides many different career paths including hotels, motels, resorts, fast food, fine dining, family restaurants, institutional foodservice, attractions, amusement parks, and other related fields. One big advantage of a career in this industry is the choices that are available. Job opportunities are plentiful throughout Northeast Wisconsin, throughout the state and country and around the world. Return to Top
What kind of jobs will graduates be prepared for?
The Hotel & Restaurant Management Associate Degree prepares student for entry-level supervisor and mid-management positions. The level of management that the graduate is qualified for depends largely on the amount of experience that the graduate has gained along with their education. Many hotel and restaurant chains have management-training programs that our graduates may enter into. The hotel and restaurant industry offers many different career paths including hotels, motels, resorts, fast food, fine dining, family restaurants, institutional foodservice, attractions, amusement parks, and other related fields. One big advantage of a career in this industry is the choices that are available. Return to Top
Do you need a
college degree to get a supervisor or management position in the
hotel and restaurant industry?
Although it is possible to move into a supervisor or management position at a hotel, restaurant, or other tourism related business without a college degree, formal education qualifies the learner for the best career opportunities and helps him/her advance further and more rapidly. Managers that have earned a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management from NWTC have learned important skills like financial management, employee supervision and motivation, marketing and sales, and interpersonal and written communication. In addition, the broad industry knowledge they have gained provides them with the perspective necessary to make good decisions. The content of the associate degree, and courses we offer has been developed based on what area employers have determined is most important for potential managers to know. Return to Top
Is this a good career choice for me?
Although each type of company within the hotel and restaurant industry requires unique skills and abilities, some common characteristics of successful supervisors and managers include:
- Friendly, enjoys working with others.
- Enjoys solving problems.
- Likes to be active at work.
- Works well with people from diverse backgrounds, ages, and cultures.
- Positive attitude enjoys a challenge.
- Willing to work hard and put in long hours when necessary. Return to Top
Why should I choose a career in Hotel & Restaurant Management?
What campus is the Hotel & Restaurant Management program available on?
It is currently possible to complete the Hotel & Restaurant Management Associate Degree program from either the Sturgeon Bay or Green Bay campus. It is also possible to take many of the courses from the Marinette campus and other areas throughout the district. Most of our courses are offered via ITV (interactive television) with an instructor either on the Green Bay or Sturgeon Bay campus. The Sturgeon Bay campus has a newly constructed foods lab that allows us to offer more foods related courses for those interested in restaurant management. Return to Top
What is the difference between Hotel & Restaurant Management and culinary arts?
A college degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management is designed to prepare learners for a career as a manager in the hotel and restaurant industry, which includes lodging, foodservice, attractions and many other specific areas. A college degree in culinary management or culinary arts is designed specifically for chefs and those interested in food preparation or food management and would include more in-depth cooking and food preparation courses. We do not offer culinary degrees at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College but we do offer some culinary courses on the Sturgeon Bay campus. Return to Top
Is it possible to take just one or two classes?
Yes, you do not have to be officially enrolled in the program to take courses. Industry professionals frequently take one or two courses when they want to improve their knowledge in specific areas. Those that are interested in completing a degree or certificate should officially enroll before beginning coursework so that they get locked into a program of study (course requirements of the program sometimes change), to receive timely information regarding the program, to gain priority status for registering for courses, and to identify any remedial courses that may help them succeed. Return to Top
How much work is there in the classes?
The courses that are part of the Hotel & Restaurant Management program require a significant time commitment from the
learner similar to any college level course. Although the time required
outside of class varies with each course, typically a learner can
expect to read 1-3 chapters from a textbook and complete an outside
assignment requiring between 1-3 hours per week for each course.
Most courses also include the learner to spend time working on an
additional project or projects throughout the course. Projects and
assignments are designed to develop "hands-on" skills
and many can be used by the learner at their place of employment.
Examples of typical projects include housekeeping manuals, job break-downs,
property marketing plans, shift planners and foodservice sanitation
(HAACP) plans. Courses that are in the "Accelerated" format
will usually require more outside reading and homework per week.
Return to Top
Can I work full time and take classes?
Although working full time is possible with the scheduling of courses, in most cases it is very difficult for learners to work full time and go to school full time due to the time commitment required. Return to Top
Where can I complete an internship?
Learners can choose where they want to complete their internship based on their specific career interests as long as the employer meets some basic requirements. Learners are responsible for finding a suitable employer for their internship. Return to Top
What does it mean when a course is scheduled in an "accelerated format"?
Many of the courses in the Hotel & Restaurant Management are scheduled in an "accelerated format". This allows learners to complete a course in a significantly shorter time period than traditionally scheduled courses. For example, a 3-credit course that would be traditionally scheduled for 17 weeks, 3 hours per week (51 hours total), would be completed in 6 weeks while meeting 4 hours per week (24 hours total). Because the class meets for less time, learners should expect to spend more time outside of class than for traditionally scheduled courses. Return to Top
What is the employment outlook for jobs in the hotel and restaurant industry?
There has been tremendous growth in this industry over the last several years. According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, total industry revenue rose from $68.2 billion in 1990 to $108.6 billion in 2000. The AH &LA also reports that in the United States the tourism industry is currently the third largest retail industry, behind automotive and food stores. Travel and tourism is the nation's largest services export industry and one of America's largest employers. The tourism industry directly supports 7.8 million jobs and employs one in every seven Americans either directly or indirectly. Return to Top
According to the National Restaurant Association the 1.5 million foodservice-and-lodging managers in the industry represent the largest number of managerial employees in the country. Return to Top
What are the average wages for hotel and restaurant managers?
Lodging Career Ladder Link - Foodservice Career Ladder Link - Return to Top
Who should I contact for more information regarding the Hotel & Restaurant Management program or the industry?
Sturgeon Bay campus - 920-746-4915 or 1-800-422-6982, Ext. 4915
Green
Bay campus -Gerry Lintz, 498-5565
or 1-800-422-6982, Ext. 5565
Related Links:
Hotel & Restaurant Management Home
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, 2740 West Mason St, P.O. Box 19042, Green Bay, WI 54307-9042, 1-800-422-NWTC
Updated July 5, 2008