The Inn at USC is not only a spectacular hotel, winning the prestigious Certificate of Excellence Award from Tripadvisor in 2014, it is also a historic building in the heart of the University of South Carolina campus. The lodging industry is a great way to get a head start working in hospitality. As you will see in this Career Ladder, all of the employees we will talk to started from the ground up. Some have even just gotten started and are loving it!
The lodging industry offers all sorts of jobs for beginners and is a great opportunity to experience new things, travel the world and meet lots of people from all sorts of different backgrounds. In this video, we'll visit the following hotel jobs: Driver/Bellman, Cook, Front Desk Supervisor, Front Office Manager, and General Manager.
Check out this Inn at USC Career Discovery Ladder and remember to ask your parents, teachers and guidance counselors on how you can get started in the lodging industry.
Andrew has also been working at the Inn at USC since it's opening. He left briefly a few years ago but quickly returned as General Manager when the opportunity was available. As a hotel General Manager you have the most responsibilities and Andrew credits his staff for helping him run such a successful hotel. He has worked every job on this Inn at USC Career Ladder and has enjoyed every step along the way. Check out this final career ladder video and move on to another ladder when you are finished.
Carter Davis loves his job!. Carter started his career in the hospitality industry by accident. Once a marketing major in college, Carter was an intern at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida and experienced first hand hospitality at its finest. Since then, he's graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. As Front Office Manager, Carter duties include hiring (and firing), scheduling, managing the front desk, and making sure guests are satisfied. Carter hopes to climb the hotel career ladder and we think he'll do just fine.
The Front Desk Supervisor is the leader and sets the standard for all other front desk employees. Often times they've earned the right to the position because of their outstanding work and length of employment. Being on time, professional, courteous to guests and fellow employees as well as having the ability to deal with negative situations are all part of being a Front Desk Supervisor. Kelli has been with the hotel since it has opened and loves her job. She plans on staying at the hotel for a while as she develops her career.
Al's first job was at a:
Al has been cooking for a few years already and he credits his love for the arts as being his inspiration for getting in to culinary arts. Al is a breakfast cook at the Inn at USC and is responsible for preparing fresh omelets and waffles as well as ensuring guest's are enjoying the fresh buffet that is prepared daily.
Al says he is content at the moment in his career but hopes to move up the kitchen ranks and run his own kitchen one day. Good luck Al!
Luther is new to the hospitality industry and already loves it. Luther's job is to drive guests to and from destinations in the area as well as helping arriving guests with their bags. Often times Luther helps out with maintenance when needed because he is a team player.
Luther already knows he wants to stay in the hospitality industry and hopes to one day own his own restaurant. Check him out!