4 answers
David
Student
Santa Ana, California
1
Question
Asked
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Experiences in the hospitality field
I am planning to pursue a career in the hospitality field (likely some sort of business administration but I would like to work in tourism or as a flight attendant.) What has the experience working in this field been like for you? What are the pros and cons I should know about, and tell me as many stories as you'd like!
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4 answers
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
395
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi David,
Working in hospitality can be highly rewarding if you enjoy interacting with diverse individuals and thrive in dynamic environments. It offers opportunities to engage with people from around the world, access travel benefits, and explore numerous career paths. While the hours can be demanding and handling challenging customers may require patience, the unique stories and experiences make it worthwhile. Instances such as a flight attendant calming a nervous flyer or a hotel manager resolving a guest's issue highlight the fulfilling aspects of this industry. Best of luck!
Working in hospitality can be highly rewarding if you enjoy interacting with diverse individuals and thrive in dynamic environments. It offers opportunities to engage with people from around the world, access travel benefits, and explore numerous career paths. While the hours can be demanding and handling challenging customers may require patience, the unique stories and experiences make it worthwhile. Instances such as a flight attendant calming a nervous flyer or a hotel manager resolving a guest's issue highlight the fulfilling aspects of this industry. Best of luck!
Thank you so much!
David
Rushabh jain
Business
14
Answers
Nashik, Maharashtra, India
Updated
Rushabh’s Answer
A career in hospitality—whether in tourism, business administration, or as a flight attendant—is fun, lively, and full of chances to meet new people, travel, and make lasting memories. But it also has challenges you should be ready for. Here's a simple look at what to expect, along with some real stories from people in the field.
Pros of Working in Hospitality:
✅ Exciting Work Environment – Every day is different, so you won’t get bored with the same routine.
✅ Opportunities to Travel – Jobs in tourism or as a flight attendant let you visit new cities and countries.
✅ Meeting New People – You’ll meet people from all over the world, perfect for those who love socializing.
✅ Career Growth & Global Opportunities – Hospitality is a big industry with many career paths, from hotels and airlines to events and tourism.
✅ Perks & Discounts – Many workers enjoy free or cheaper travel, hotel stays, and other perks.
Cons of Working in Hospitality:
❌ Long & Irregular Hours – Be ready to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Busy times like summer and Christmas can be crazy.
❌ Dealing with Difficult Customers – Not all guests are nice; handling complaints calmly is important.
❌ Physical & Emotional Demands – Jobs often mean standing for long hours, lifting luggage, or dealing with stress.
❌ Lower Starting Salaries – Starting pay might be less than in corporate jobs, but there’s room to grow.
Real-Life Experiences & Stories
1️⃣ Flight Attendant Life:
A friend who works as a flight attendant loves waking up in a new country every few days. She gets free layovers in amazing places, with food and accommodation covered by the airline. But she’s also faced emergencies mid-flight, difficult passengers, and tiredness from odd sleep schedules. Once, she helped a nervous first-time flyer during turbulence, using humor to calm them down.
2️⃣ Hotel Management Challenges:
A former hotel front desk manager said one big challenge was demanding guests. One guest asked to change rooms three times because the “energy” felt off. Another couple was upset because their honeymoon suite didn’t have the "perfect ocean view" (even though it was as advertised). Despite these, he enjoyed the fast-paced job and meeting important clients.
3️⃣ Tourism Industry Magic:
A tour guide I know works at a tropical island resort, taking visitors on snorkeling trips and jungle hikes. He loves getting paid to show people around paradise! But last-minute changes, lost luggage, and bad weather can be stressful. Once, he had to create a new tour plan when a boat broke down, turning a potential disaster into an unforgettable adventure for guests.
Is Hospitality Right for You?
If you enjoy meeting people, handling fast-paced situations, and don’t mind working non-traditional hours, hospitality could be a great fit! The key is to be flexible, patient, and passionate about giving others great experiences.
Pros of Working in Hospitality:
✅ Exciting Work Environment – Every day is different, so you won’t get bored with the same routine.
✅ Opportunities to Travel – Jobs in tourism or as a flight attendant let you visit new cities and countries.
✅ Meeting New People – You’ll meet people from all over the world, perfect for those who love socializing.
✅ Career Growth & Global Opportunities – Hospitality is a big industry with many career paths, from hotels and airlines to events and tourism.
✅ Perks & Discounts – Many workers enjoy free or cheaper travel, hotel stays, and other perks.
Cons of Working in Hospitality:
❌ Long & Irregular Hours – Be ready to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Busy times like summer and Christmas can be crazy.
❌ Dealing with Difficult Customers – Not all guests are nice; handling complaints calmly is important.
❌ Physical & Emotional Demands – Jobs often mean standing for long hours, lifting luggage, or dealing with stress.
❌ Lower Starting Salaries – Starting pay might be less than in corporate jobs, but there’s room to grow.
Real-Life Experiences & Stories
1️⃣ Flight Attendant Life:
A friend who works as a flight attendant loves waking up in a new country every few days. She gets free layovers in amazing places, with food and accommodation covered by the airline. But she’s also faced emergencies mid-flight, difficult passengers, and tiredness from odd sleep schedules. Once, she helped a nervous first-time flyer during turbulence, using humor to calm them down.
2️⃣ Hotel Management Challenges:
A former hotel front desk manager said one big challenge was demanding guests. One guest asked to change rooms three times because the “energy” felt off. Another couple was upset because their honeymoon suite didn’t have the "perfect ocean view" (even though it was as advertised). Despite these, he enjoyed the fast-paced job and meeting important clients.
3️⃣ Tourism Industry Magic:
A tour guide I know works at a tropical island resort, taking visitors on snorkeling trips and jungle hikes. He loves getting paid to show people around paradise! But last-minute changes, lost luggage, and bad weather can be stressful. Once, he had to create a new tour plan when a boat broke down, turning a potential disaster into an unforgettable adventure for guests.
Is Hospitality Right for You?
If you enjoy meeting people, handling fast-paced situations, and don’t mind working non-traditional hours, hospitality could be a great fit! The key is to be flexible, patient, and passionate about giving others great experiences.
Thanks so much for the reply!
David
Pat Golden-Romero
Teach Hospitality/ Culinary Arts, College Admissions
8
Answers
Santa Cruz, California
Updated
Pat’s Answer
Hi David, I have degrees in Hosp. Tsm., 20 years teaching exp erience in same & worked often in the hospitality industry while teaching. This is a great career if you love to travel & what to explore while earning a decent income ( flight attendant, hotel sales & marketing, tourism destination or tour company promotion ) for the last 3 careers you'll attend a lot of public/ industry travel shows to market the resort , service, or destination .
For a young adult open to working irregular hours and holidays this is an attractive benefit. Most major hotel companies offer educational reimbursement to attend college while working. good luck
For a young adult open to working irregular hours and holidays this is an attractive benefit. Most major hotel companies offer educational reimbursement to attend college while working. good luck
Smart One Tech
2
Answers
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Updated
Smart One’s Answer
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