Professionals who are employed in the tourism industry can work at hotels, motels, inns, campgrounds or for businesses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students who are interested in similar jobs may benefit from obtaining a master's degree in a related field.
In fact, some schools are adding programs that are designed specifically for the tourism industry. For instance, Indiana University recently announced it will increase its offerings to provide a master's degree for this career path, according to the Indianapolis Business Journal. This course of study will being next fall.
The school already offers a bachelor's degree in tourism. However, the new master's will be geared toward individuals who are already employed in this industry but would like to help their organizations prepare for changes in the future.
Students in the new program will work with their professors to conduct research and complete projects. Once the degree seekers graduate, they are expected to be prepared for management or consulting jobs in the hospitality and tourism industries, the newspaper reports.
Similar master's degree programs could help individuals acquire the skills they may need to land careers as a lodging manager. The BLS reports that professionals at this level who work in upscale hotels frequently need higher education.
