Summer is here, and high school seniors across the country are just coming back from having crossed the stage at graduation. For some, higher education is calling them and they have plans to attend an educational institution this fall. For others, entering directly into the workforce is the path they’ll take. For many on either path (or the infinite number of others), employment of some sort is the anticipated next step.  

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics recently published that among those enrolled as full-time students post-high school – 29.3% were actively working in the labor force. That number was significantly higher for those enrolled in school part-time (71.4%). The significant difference in those percentages is understandable, as many who enroll full-time in school don’t have the capacity or time to work on top of school. Many still do to pay for that schooling or support themselves (or their family) while enrolled.

Whether recent graduates are looking for summer work before college, a flexible role they can continue through the upcoming school year, or full-time employment as they gain experience in the workforce – the hospitality industry offers it all.

Types of Roles Available for Recent High School Graduates

While some roles within the hotel industry require previous experience, many are great options for those brand new to the workforce as the skills and expertise required to perform them well can be learned on the job. There are entry-level positions on almost all functional teams within a hotel, including housekeeping, front desk, and maintenance.  

For some just leaving high school, a full-time role is necessary to be able to support themselves and their families. Most hotels offer entry-level positions on either a full-time or part-time basis. This makes positions within the industry ideal even for those who can’t commit to 40 hours per week. Many hotels operate 24 hours a day, meaning shifts are available on many teams both during the typical work day and in the evenings or overnight. For those with school schedules or other commitments that keep them from being full-time, the hotel industry offers plenty of flexibility. With that, it’s important for anyone accepting a position within an organization to communicate clearly with management to ensure availability expectations are fully understood and agreed upon.

Skills Gained via a Job in Hospitality

Whether joining a hospitality organization on the housekeeping team, working behind the front desk, or in any of the many “unseen” roles that keep a hotel functioning, a role in the industry offers the opportunity to gain valuable experience and skills that are transferable to any number of other positions or industries.  

Hotels thrive on communication, from high-level management down to each individual contributor. No single role within a hotel operates in a silo, meaning collaborating with others is a daily occurrence. Individuals learn to communicate effectively on a team, including asking questions and expressing concerns when needed.

Time management is another critical skill needed to succeed in hotel roles. These establishments often operate at a fast pace, and employees learn quickly how to manage time in a way that allows them to be more efficient while also maintaining high-quality standards. That ability is highly valuable to employers across any industry.

Part of ensuring high-quality standards is maintaining strong detail orientation. In hotel jobs, attention to detail is crucial – both in meeting internal standards as well as providing guests with the quality experience they expect. Attention to detail helps in other service industries as well as in more technical jobs and career paths. Why is this such an important quality in an employee? Attention to detail generally means fewer mistakes and a higher quality of work overall. When that can be achieved while also working within a fast-paced environment – employers know they have a top-notch contributor.

Overall, a job in hospitality provides a number of useful skills and knowledge that serve as the foundation for those new to the workforce to build upon in their career. The transferable skills to be gained in any hotel role often prove highly valuable, even when workers move into other industries throughout their careers.

Finding Hotel Jobs as a Recent Graduate

For those just now looking to enter the workforce, the options for finding opportunities – particularly in hospitality – can be overwhelming and time-consuming to sort through to find the ones that best fit. Our employees work hard each day in their roles, so we try to make the process of finding and securing a role within the organization as simple and painless as possible. In fact, our locations across the country are looking for enthusiastic individuals to fill their teams. So, we’ve compiled a comprehensive database of opportunities to make finding these positions (and applying for them) simple.

Jobseekers differ significantly in their preferences for work – be that job responsibilities, schedule, and commitment level (part-time vs. full-time). So, we prioritize having a jobs platform that makes searching based on these preferences easy. The same goes for the application process. The process takes just a few minutes to complete, so jobseekers can be on their way to a new, rewarding position almost immediately. For recent high school graduates or anyone already in the workforce but looking for a change and to work with an employer that cares about the success of their team as much as the organization – we encourage you to check out what opportunities await!