Do you hate being subjected to fickle weather or sitting at a desk all day? Do you hate dreary winter weather? If you dream about permanently jetting off to your favorite vacation destination, you might want to consider a career in hotel management! People who are employed in the hospitality industry don’t have offices—they have resorts, hotels, clubs, and restaurants!

The hospitality industry is one of the biggest sources of revenue in the world. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there will be a projected 1.5 MILLION job openings in the industry during the next five years. In other words, there is definitely no shortage of jobs. To really get ahead in the field of hospitality, you need to know how to do much more than fold towels or bus dishes.

A degree in hotel management can open the door to many exciting careers that range from working in a casino to managing a cruise ship. Here are a few of the most popular career options:

• Casino and game supervisor – the title speaks for itself! No longer confined to Las Vegas or Atlantic City, casinos are exploding across the country. Gamblers and casino-goers expect top-notch concerts, restaurants, and retail centers. Casino supervisors are in the middle of all the excitement, managing day-to-day operations and making sure everything runs smoothly.

• Tour directors – it is the job of a tour director to travel the world and spread his/her knowledge about other countries with vacationers. A college degree is a necessity for this job because tour directors need to know about customs laws, as well as the history and culture of a specific locale.

• Hotel managers – turn their resort or hotel into a “home away from home” for vacationers. They oversee operations in both the front and back of the house, ensuring that hotel managers never have a boring day.

• Travel agents – these people have two important jobs. First, they help travelers plan all aspects of their getaway, including making arrangements for transportation and accommodation. Secondly, they help to promote travel packages for cruises, resorts, and casinos. Travel agents need to be experts on everything from weather conditions to tourist attractions.

Although jobs in the hotel management and hospitality field aren’t continuous parties, every day can present a different and exciting challenge! If you are looking to snag this type of job, a college degree would provide you with the skills and specialized training that you need to get ahead. So, if working in a hotel, casino, resort, or cruise ship sounds exciting to you, check out some degree programs and get started!