Co-working industry

Hotel management graduates are in high demand in the hotels, F&B, spas & resorts, airlines, and catering industry. As the economy is once again recovering and the travel & tourism industry is making a strong, hospitality management looks promising as a career opportunity.

However, it is not just the hospitality industry wherein such graduates are required. There are also numerous other industries such as real estate, wherein hotel management graduates can land good jobs.

Hotel management studies are just not about powerful communication skills, interpersonal skills, and operational know-how. The course also includes studies on general marketing & sales, strategy, and accounting, which further makes them eligible for trying alternate industries.

Within the real estate vertical, the growing co-working segment can be a place, wherein the hotel management graduates can be in great demand.

In 2021, India's co-working segment reached a gross area of 35 million Sq Ft, as per the research by the Anarock-CII report. The segment is expected to become double in size over the next 5 years. As the industry is expanding, the demand for quality manpower is also rising fast.

The skill sets and professional capabilities of a hotel management graduate fit in really well with India's growing co-working industry.

Here are the 5 types of career opportunities that hotel graduates can try in the co-working industry.

Community Managers: These are the managers who interact with prospects & clients, take them for tours & inspections on the premise, manages the day-to-day activities, and act as overall custodian of the tenant's well-being. They also contribute to events and other cultural activities inside the premise. Hotel management graduates are a natural favourite for such roles. Community Partnership Resources: Co-working spaces require resources that can seamlessly do meaningful networking. Generally, good co-working spaces have numerous partnerships with the local pubs, restaurants, saloons & parlours childcare, retail shops, healthcare clinics, etc. Members of the co-working can get discounts, vouchers, etc. in such places. Hotel management graduates can be effective community partnership resources due to their networking prowess, efficient communication skills, and overall acumen of business.

Front Office Resources: Hotel management graduates generally have good communication skills, are capable of multitasking, and are adept in customer service. Besides they have an understanding of operational management as well. This makes them apt for front office roles.

Event Managers/ Coordinators: Co-working is known for lots of events, parties, and fun activities. The idea behind such events is generally to make work fun for the employees and enhance overall engagement and productivity. Numerous events such as yoga & wellness, fun parties, musical nights, crash courses, and skill enhancement training are conducted on a regular basis in a co-working space. Likewise, corporate events such as product launches & pithing, etc. are also done. Hospitality graduates are suitable for such roles as event manager/ coordinator. Directors: Hotel management graduates with some solid experience can also opt for leadership roles such as directors, VP, etc. at co-working spaces. As directors, their role will involve taking care of the overall business including sales & marketing, Profit & Loss (P&L) account, financial planning, etc. Likewise, they will have to contribute to operational activities, tenant welfare, customer acquisition, etc.

- Mr. Nakul Mathur, MD, Avanta India