The front office is the core of the hotel business. You will learn alot about how a hotel works and this could potentially preprare you for a higher level managment position when you graduate.
You could move into hotel sales where you sell blocks of guestroom, meeting space, banquet space, and a hotels services and amenities to corporate event planners and social event organizers. These jobs typically pay 40-60K plus bonus. You can advance to 80-150K or more plus bonus.
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You can get a quick head start in hotel sales at ahla.com or http://www.aprinda.com Both of these sites offer fast online certificates. You do not need a college degree to work in hotel sales and catering, but a degree always gives you an edge over the competition.
If you prefer, you can also use your front office experience to apply for an assistant front office manager or front office manager. The front office, as well as the sales position are good paths to the General Manager job. General Manager jobs earn 60-200K or more depending on the size of the hotel and location.
Most every General Manager in the industry today started at the front offices, in the sales department, or even as a bellman. It's one of the few industries that truly promotes from within.
Give the hospitality business a try, it's a great job for college students. It was for me.
