Hospitality & Tourism:
Skills & Job Outlook for this Career Cluster
On The Job:
- Wages for many food and hospitality positions appear low, but most positions earn tips. Earning potential in these jobs increases by offering customers good, prompt and courteous service along with a positive attitude.
- Many of these positions are good jobs for young people with limited job skills, or for those that require a flexible schedule or seasonal work.
- Extensive work experience or advanced degrees are needed to advance in this field.
- Workers typically spend long hours on their feet and might work in hot or crowded conditions. Most positions are indoors and require wearing a uniform.
- Workers under the age of 18 are not allowed to use certain kitchen items like slicers and some ovens.
What Skills Do You Need?
- Cooperation skills to coordinate efforts between kitchen and wait staff.
- Customer service skills to deal effectively and courteously with the public.
- Flexibility to handle unexpected situations.
- Memorization skills for remembering orders, tables and customers.
- Patience to satisfy customers' expectations, particularly those establishments dependent on repeat business.
- Physical stamina to lift platters of food or cooking pots and stand for long periods of time.
- Problem-solving skills to deal with customers or co-workers when business is hectic.
Job Outlook: GOOD
Visits to Minnesota's various natural attractions, urban areas and business travel contribute to the state's growing tourism trade.
The national trend toward eating out as part of a fast-pace lifestyle also increases the demand for employees, especially food-preparation workers (including fast-food workers), cooks, waiters and wait staff.
A mix of growing family sizes, leisure time and healthier menus all contribute to increased restaurant employment. These same changes will lead to decreased employment for other food-related occupations, like buspersons and dishwashers, who are not typically employed by casual dining places like sandwich or coffee shops. High turnover creates the continued need to replace workers.
Technology has also impacted the hospitality and tourism industry. Most motels and hotels allow guests to make reservations online, decreasing the need for workers in these positions. But the popularity of cooking shows and of upscale restaurants, hotels and spas has increased business and creates demand for workers in this field.
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