FIND YOUR AMERICAN DREAM IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
D o you believe in the American dream? Do you think people in the United States can still climb up the ladder for a better life, regardless of their social class or background? If you are hardworking, the hospitality industry might be the right place to start your American dream. Hospitality
undocumented immigrant workers—the most out of all industries in the state. MID-LEVEL MANAGEMENT JOBS Many hospitality businesses embrace the promote- from-within philosophy for talent management. For example, 80 percent of Chipotle’s leaders began
their careers as crew members at one of the restaurant chain’s locations (Chipotle, n.d.). A typical restaurant manager at Chipotle earns about $80,000 a year. It is very common to see hardworking associates make their way up in the hospitality industry. EXECUTIVE POSITIONS Many hospitality workers also moved up to the C-suite. Two prominent examples are Jim Bitticks and Alan Fuerstman. Bitticks started in the restaurant industry in his teens as a busboy and was recently named Dave’s Hot Chicken’s COO and President (Jennings,
jobs are not easy, but rewards will come to those who work hard. Most of all, the industry is big enough and offers ample opportunities for people with diverse backgrounds and talents. ENTRY-LEVEL JOBS IN FOODSERVICE, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, COUNTRY CLUBS, AND MORE The hospitality industry is a vast business sector presenting various career options, from helpers in the kitchen, servers, food stand workers, and office clerks to many positions in-between. Most entry- level jobs do not even require formal
“ Dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. ” — James Truslow Adams
2021). Fuerstman is the Founder and CEO of Montage International, a luxury hotel chain worth about $3 billion in 2019. He started his hospitality career as a part-time doorman at a Marriott Hotel (Marikar, 2019). NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO PURSUE THE AMERICAN DREAM IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY The hospitality industry is now facing the labor shortage issue. Companies are offering higher wages and better benefits to attract workers to join their labor force. People may also get promoted faster if they are willing to help a business going through a crisis. Now is truly the time to get into the hospitality industry if one still believes in the American dream. n
education or previous work experience. Moreover, because many hospitality businesses open for long hours, some of which operate 24/7, people can choose to work part-time only when their schedule allows. The hospitality industry provides terrific career opportunities for less-skilled workers or even new immigrants who may not speak English. According to the Center for Migration Studies of New York (2020), immigrants comprise 31 percent of the state’s workforce. When it comes to the industries hiring the highest number of naturalized citizens in New York state, the restaurant industry comes in third place, with 88,600. Plus, the restaurant industry employs 74,700
LINCHI KWOK, PH.D.
CONTRIBUTING WRITER linchikwok.net REFERENCES
Center for Migration Studies of New York. (2020, May). Immigrants comprise 31 percent of workers in New York State essential businesses and 70 percent of the state’s undocumented labor force works in essential businesses. Retrieved on December 16, 2021, via cmsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Printable-New-York-Essential-Workers-Report.pdf Chipotle. (n.d.). Cultivating the best you. Retrieved on December 16, 2021, via jobs.chipotle.com/in-restaurant Jennings, L. (2021, November 2). Jim Bitticks promoted to role of president and COO of Dave’s Hot Chicken. Nation’s Restaurant News. Retrieved on December 16, 2021, via nrn.com/fast-casual/jim-bitticks-promoted-role-president-and-coo-dave-s-hot-chicken Marikar, S. (2019, July 29). He started as a doorman at a Marriott. Now he runs a $3 billion hotel empire. Inc. Magazine. Retrieved on December 16, 2021, via inc.com/sheila-marikar/montage-international-alan-fuerstman-hotel-luxury-resort-marriott.html
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