Hotel Desk Clerks

Check out The Hotel Industry (https://www.thehotelindustry.com), which is sponsored by the AHLA Foundation, to learn more about the field. It offers information about 12 work areas in the hotel industry, including lobby and guest services. At the site, you can also view profiles of hospitality professionals, learn about the benefits of working in the industry, and sign up to receive industry stories, information about career opportunities, and useful articles and resources.

The best way to explore this industry is to work in a hotel after school or during summer vacations. Although you may not land a desk clerk position, you may be hired as a waiter, waitress, dining-room attendant, or for a housekeeping position. You will be able to talk to people in the industry and learn the pros and cons of each job. If you can't find a job in the hotel industry, you might consider asking your school counselor to arrange an information interview with someone working in the field. Perhaps you could even job-shadow a hotel desk clerk to learn even more about the field.