Four students recently completed the Hospitality and Tourism Institute at the Isothermal Community College Polk Center.

They include Stephen Morris, Natasha Womack, Lynette Attwood and Jessica Meredith.

The hospitality industry employs people with a broad range of skills and interests and positions range from:

• Hotel Jobs

• Food Services Jobs

• Event Planning Careers

• Property Management and Private Club Operations

• Recreation, State Park, and Equestrian Center Facilities Careers

• Facility Maintenance and Security Jobs

The program was developed with input from a hospitality advisory committee, which includes members who have worked in the industry for many years.

The first part of the institute is “Pathways to Hospitality.” This eight-hour section will take students through a personal self-exploration process and an occupation exploration, laying the foundation to a successful career decision and occupation preparation path.

The next 24 hours of the institute is “Hospitality Soft Skills” where students will receive soft skills training including how to deal with conflict, customer service, working as a team, communication skills, being professional and having a good attitude. It will also include role playing exercises with members of the hospitality industry.

The next four hours of the class is called “Guest Services Gold” and students will learn the seven elements of exemplary guest service. Successful completion of this course will earn the student a Guest Service Gold certification issued by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute.

The last 16 hours are “Preparing for the Job Search.” Students will work through activities to identify their skills and abilities, culminating in the development of a professional resume. Strategies for conducting an organized and successful job search, including networking, are also explored.

For more information on the isothermal Hospitality and Tourism Institute, contact Karen Marshall at 828-395-1408 or kmarshall@isothermal.edu or Beth Hartle at 828-395-4294 or bhartle@isothermal.edu.

– submitted by Mike Gavin