Hotel Executive Housekeepers

High School

Business, general science, computer science, and mathematics classes will give you a solid educational foundation for working in this field. Speech and English courses will boost your communication skills.

Postsecondary Training

Though hotels recognize the importance of experience, with today's competitive market, it is increasingly important to have further education. A bachelor's degree in hotel management is your best bet, but associate's degrees are valued as well. Emphasize course work in business administration, accounting, budgeting, and economics. Classes in communication, sociology, and psychology will prove helpful in dealing with a large, diverse staff. Other useful classes are interior design and purchasing.

Certification

Many colleges and universities offer certificate programs in hospitality and related fields, and some even offer executive housekeeping programs. For example, the University of Houston, offers an online executive housekeeping certificate program. To earn the certificate, students receive training in the following areas: housekeeping maintenance, laundry, cleaning products and tools, organization, schedules, entertaining (i.e., tableware, table setting and service, event planning), and staff management. 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 IEHA offers professional education credentialing programs that cover topics such as technical, administrative, and management skills. Contact the association for more information.