Assessment of the Educational Skills and Competencies Needed By Beginning Hospitality Managers

Abstract

The need for competent management personnel has created outstanding career opportunities for foodservice and lodging management graduates. This increased demand, however, has also created problems in the development and evaluation of hospitality education. Academic programs in hospitality vary considerably, and there has been little effort to identify competencies for hospitality occupations, especially at the baccalaurate level. The researcher, therefore, undertook this study to develop and assess the educational skills and competencies needed by hospitality managers upon graduation. Today's beginning hospitality manager needs a diversity of talents, skills, and competencies to meet the expectations of the industry. Human relations and conceptual management skills, however, deserve serious consideration in baccalaurate programs. The top five competencies which were rated by the respondents deal directly with human relations skills and attitudes. Technical skills are important, but should not be considered a priority in relation to the entire educational process.