Career paths in hospitality

The purpose of this final chapter is to bring to our attention the subject of careers, and by doing so offer a more holistic view on the topic of HRM. This chapter begins with an explanation as to why the subject of careers has become so prominent in recent years, especially in the hospitality industry, including a discussion on the current state of hospitality careers. A more recent professionalization of this industry is also thought to have impacted on the social perception of careers in hospitality. To better grasp the meaning of this term, the chapter continues with a section on career definitions emphasising lack of a universal definition and the need to understand careers as subjective. Established career theories are also outlined, with a focus on career development, which is relevant to the management of organisations and individuals. This leads on to a section on questioning differences between the terms ‘job’ and ‘career’, emphasising self-fulfilment as one of the key differentiators. After that the chapter focusses on the original concept of the leaving process, with its three types which are based on different interactions between career commitment, career inheritance and self-efficacy. This leads on to characteristics of a hospitality career manager, which combines elements of the aforementioned three concepts, and then practical tips on how to become successful in your career. A collaborative approach to career management involving different stakeholders is proposed as the most effective way to ensure committed employees and satisfied employers.