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Hotel Desk Clerks

Education and Training Requirements

High School

High school classes can provide a useful foundation for a career in the hotel industry. Concentrate on classes such as human relations, business, marketing, and even sociology to prepare for this people-oriented job. Be sure to take English and speech courses to hone your communications skills. Computer science classes (especially database management and artificial intelligence) will be useful, since clerks use computers and AI to manage customer reservations, store customer information, communicate with customers, and work on other tasks. Mathematics classes will come in handy because you will be working with percentages and discounts. Taking a foreign language, such as Spanish, will come in handy when dealing with customers who are not fluent in English.

Postsecondary Training

Most hotel desk clerks have a high school diploma and learn their skills via on-the-job training. On-site training is a common method of continuing education, though hotels may choose to send their management-track employees to off-site seminars or continuing education classes.

If you are hoping to use a desk clerk job as a stepping-stone to a management position, you should seriously consider a degree in hotel management. College courses that will be helpful to your career include human relations, finance, and practical classes, such as hospitality supervision and front office procedures.

Internships are a great way to earn work experience, course credit, and most important, a chance to distinguish yourself from other applicants come interview time. Check with your high school counselor or career center for a listing of available hospitality internships and schools that have two- or four-year programs, or contact the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute.

Certification

Many colleges and universities offer certificate programs in hospitality, customer service, and related fields. For example, Highline University in Des Moines, Washington, offers a customer service certificate in hospitality program. To earn the certificate, students must complete the following classes: Customer Service Operations, Managing Customer Service, and Global Excellence in Customer Service. Certificate programs typically last six months to a year and are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. Contact schools in your area for information about available programs.

Other Education or Training

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute offers a variety of online continuing education courses. Visit http://www.ahlei.org for more information.