Poor Jamie Oliver! He might have managed to ban the questionable Turkey Twizzlers from schools across the country, but despite all his efforts it appears that half of young people have absolutely no interest in the hospitality sector.
Even popular TV shows such as Hell’s Kitchen and Come Dine With Me – which has been emulated by many student households – have failed to pique the interest of the younger generation, who are too busy tweeting to give hospitality a second glance.
Research restaurant reservation and marketing service livebookings.co.uk surveyed 1,000 people aged 16-24 and discovered that 43% would not even consider a career in the hospitality sector, shunning it in favour of positions that would allow them to use their “social media skills”.
Working in hotels and restaurants is often seen as a temporary holiday job, with two in five young people expecting a full-time job in the industry to be “boring and repetitive”. It is understandable if working in the Travelodge just around the corner doesn’t spark inspiration, but working in hospitality overseas just might...
As we soar towards a borderless world, many sectors are becoming truly international and the hospitality industry is no exception. Many hotel management schemes – some of which are open exclusively to graduates – offer the opportunity to train and work abroad. Depending on where you work, you could be waking up to sun, sea and sand on an everyday basis, and wherever in the world you are you will have the chance to immerse yourself in a different culture.
Hospitality is an extremely varied career. It’s certainly not your average 9-5: holiday rep jobs, for example, could see you orchestrating a whirlpool party, joining in a game of pool volleyball or presenting evening entertainment. With a number of varied roles available and the opportunity to meet different people every single day, the one thing you will not be is bored.
The skills gained whilst overseas are invaluable to employers. You will be more independent, more flexible and more confident – all of which will help you climb your way through the ranks, whether you continue in hospitality or decide on another career path. Wherever you work, you are guaranteed to develop incredible social skills and make friends from all corners of the globe.
With graduate recruitment slowing down in the stagnant economy and the hotel and restaurant trades among the few industries looking to recruit, hospitality is logical as well as a fun and varied career path that should be taken into consideration.