Hotel Concierges

High School

A well-rounded high school education is a good starting point for the career of concierge. Speech and writing classes will help you learn how to effectively communicate with hotel guests and coworkers. Fluency in another language, especially French, Japanese, Mandarin, or Spanish, can also be extremely helpful in this field.

Postsecondary Training

A college degree is not required to be a concierge. In fact, many successful and established concierges have a variety of educational and employment backgrounds—from managers to artists to teachers. However, in today's competitive job market it pays to have an edge. A well-rounded education, such as a liberal arts degree or a degree from a concierge program, can only help. Some colleges, such as Cornell University, New York University, and Michigan State University, offer degrees in hotel administration.

Certification

The International School of Hospitality (ISH) offers an Art of Concierge online or in-person certificate program. Topics include 5-star guest relations skills for quality concierge service; creating comprehensive itineraries for guests; making recommendations for food, leisure, and entertainment; interacting with diverse guests (including those from foreign countries); and safety and security. Visit https://tisoh.edu/programs/certificate-programs/art-of-concierge for more information. The ISH is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training.

Other Education or Training

At the National Concierge Association's annual Education Conference, concierges can participate in workshops and seminars to improve their skills and stay up to date on industry developments. The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute offers a variety of online continuing education courses. State-level and local hospitality associations also provide professional development opportunities.