What to Expect

Students in tourism programs are preparing for careers in one of the world's fastest growing industries. There are programs at both the four-year and the two-year level to train students for a variety of careers.

"I really want to own and run a successful and green tourism company. Something to do with whitewater preferred," says Cassaundra Marie Noyes.

Noyes has plenty of time to decide. She is a first-year student at a university. She studies geography, outdoor recreation, parks and tourism. "Our professors take learning to a whole new level," says Noyes. "Not only are we learning the foundation, but we actually get to use it in our labs."

And what happens in labs? So far Noyes has gone to a northern outdoor center, taken a voyager canoe trip and gone rock climbing. "I love the experiences and opportunities there are at the school and through the program," says Noyes.

The next time you visit a four-star or diamond rating hotel, look for Nathan Lyon-Stewart. He wants to become a front desk manager.

"I've always admired and respected anyone who can manage their job," Lyon-Stewart says. He just graduated from a hotel management program. "My instructors had a lot of experience within the hospitality industry, not just in hotel management which was really helpful," says Lyon-Stewart.

Syed M. Bashar aspires to be a general manager for five-star, full-service hotels all around the world. He is in the third year of a hospitality and tourism management program at Brigham Young University's Hawaii campus. He says there is a lot to keep interested in his studies -- "be it the season fluctuations in airline ticket prices or the weekly fall in hotel room rates or how waiters pour a lot of ice in your cup so they can save on the beverage," says Bashar.

His program offers field trips every semester. They are great networking opportunities with people in the hotel and hospitality industry. In any tourism program, you can expect a few hours of reading most evenings.

Certifications can get expensive. You may need uniforms or equipment related to outdoor activities. You may need business clothing if you are meeting and networking with industry professionals.

How to Prepare

Depending on your area of interest, you may want to invest in training such as first aid, CPR and life guard training. It's a good idea to sample working in the industry before you commit to college. Try a summer job in the industry.

Lyon-Stewart worked at a hotel during high school. "It helped me a lot to know whether I feel good about going into the hospitality industry; it made me feel really comfortable with the choice that I made and allowed me to feel confident in my abilities," he says.

Social skills are important in tourism programs and the industry. "Leadership skills and the ability to communicate are wonderful assets in the program," says Bashar. "To have a second or third language is great; it makes anyone more marketable in the hospitality industry."