MANAGERS AND MORE. Wanted: INDUSTRY INTEL. Military veterans find a warm welcome in hospitality.

Transcription

1 INDUSTRY INTEL Wanted: MANAGERS AND MORE Military veterans find a warm welcome in hospitality. BY WARREN DUFFIE Jason Naper joined the hospitality industry out of desperation, but stayed for the job satisfaction. In 2009, at the height of the Great Recession, Naper was working as an X-ray technician when he got laid off. The former Navy petty officer wasn t worried. He had some money saved and was sure he d find a new job quickly. But months passed and bills piled up, draining Naper s savings and filling him with a sickening fear. I was absolutely desperate, says Naper, so when a friend offered me a job as a front desk clerk at a Pittsburgh hotel, I jumped at it. I thought it would be temporary, but I really enjoyed the work. I liked serving people and providing a great travel experience. I thought I could make it a career. Naper s quick rise at La Quinta Inns & Suites proves there are second acts in life. He soon was promoted to front desk manager and then took an assistant manager job in Georgia. Last year, he took over as general manager of the La Quinta Inns & Suites Albuquerque Journal Center Northwest in New Mexico. 44 G.I. JOBS MAY 2014 GIJOBS.COM

2 What are your main duties? The most important thing I do is help provide an excellent experience for our guests. I m responsible for everything at my hotel. Safety and security are my number one duties to my guests and employees. What s the coolest thing about your job? The people. Hospitality is nothing but people. We see people from all walks of life in hospitality, we get to interact and learn from them, share moments in their lives, and we get to see the smiles when they re satisfied with their visit. What surprised you about the civilian workforce? When I came back to the civilian workforce, it was disappointing because I felt like some companies just didn t have an efficient structure or chain of command. This was hard on me and I felt in the dark and unappreciated as a worker. That was until I discovered La Quinta. This company truly values and embraces the service of veterans and what they bring to a job. What would you have done differently in your job search? I would have gone into hospitality a lot sooner. JASON NAPER General Manager La Quinta Inns & Suites Albuquerque Journal Center Northwest Age: 42 Petty Offi cer Third Class, Navy ( ) Rating: Aviation Ordnance (AO3) What They Do: La Quinta Inns & Suites is a limited-service, mid-price hotel chain. Maintenance Front Desk Accounting Sales Management Positions Top Regions for Hiring in 2014 Texas Utah South Carolina Virginia Colorado I encourage veterans to consider a career in hospitality, Naper says. They pay attention to detail, understand hard work and have had a lot of responsibility given to them. Also, there s great job security people are always going to travel. A DYNAMIC CAREER FIELD Mention hospitality jobs and what comes to mind? A restaurant cook? The person at a hotel front desk or someone on the cleaning staff? Maybe a resort bartender who makes those yummy, buzz-inducing umbrella drinks? All of these jobs are important, but hospitality career opportunities are truly limitless and diverse. Think of a hotel or resort as a military base. You need people skilled in maintenance, finance, human resources, marketing and more. Whatever your job was in the military, you can use your military skills in hospitality. Here are some more reasons why hospitality might be for you. No 9-to-5 here. If you hate the thought of working the same schedule each day, this is the career for you. Some days you might have to report for work early, while others you might have to work a night shift. But you re used to that, right? When did the military have traditional hours? It s a global industry. Every country has its hospitality industry, and there are great opportunities for those with an adventurous spirit and strong work ethic. Hey, travel was one of the best perks of military life. You don t have to give that up as a civilian. Many opportunities for advancement. A number of hotel and resort executives began as front desk clerks or dishwashers. You can work with a company for a long time, in a variety of jobs. If you decide to get into management, many hos- 46 G.I. JOBS MAY 2014 GIJOBS.COM

3 VINCENT SALDANA Supervisor, Business Services Center, ARIA Resort MGM Resorts Age: 27 Corporal, Marine Corps ( ) MOS: Aviation Ordnance (6541) What They Do: With earnings of $7 billion, MGM owns and operates 15 properties worldwide, including Las Vegas iconic Bellagio and Mandalay Bay. Assistant Managers Managers (MGM currently has more than 1,000 open positions across the company; 200 of them are managerial positions) Top Regions for Hiring in 2014 Las Vegas Washington, D.C., area How d you get your job? After I left the military, I worked at a Starbucks and for a food import-export business in Vegas. I then got a part-time job with MGM as a sidewalk barker, selling programs to shows at MGM properties. A supervisor liked my work and saw I was a veteran. He said I should go into management. What are you main duties? I supervise about 13 employees. We handle shipping for guests and convention groups staying at ARIA. We usually serve around 100 guests each day. What s the most interesting thing you ve seen shipped? Sandals, wigs, exotic plants, you name it! Coolest thing about your job? Making a positive impact on someone s stay and leaving them with a good impression. pitality companies will help you get your degree or they offer in-house training and certification programs. The pay is pretty good. The U.S. Bureau of Labor (BLS) statistics and the U.S. Travel Association report starting salaries range from $35,000 to $80,000. Industry employees have the potential to make more than $100,000 a year. Still not convinced? How about this? This hospitality industry provides strong job security. According to BLS statistics Best moment? We had a couple visiting from Chicago. They were staying at Bellagio, but I gave them a tour of ARIA and asked them to consider staying here for their next trip. Turns out they knew the chief operating officer of MGM and sent a letter commending me. and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the hotel and resorts sector is projected to gain 181,800 jobs by And the U.S. Travel Association reports the travel industry s employment rate now surpasses figures from before the Great Recession one of the few industries to accomplish this feat. The hospitality industry is one place where you can start in an entry-level job and, in a relatively short period of time, move up quickly, says Cathy Keefe, media relations manager for the U.S. Travel Association. It s ideal for military veterans. Everyone who has proudly worn the uniform of our armed forces has much more to offer when they return to civilian life, and hotels have been a beneficiary of the remarkable skills and expertise of many of them, says Katherine Lugar, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. VEGAS, BABY! MGM Resorts is a high roller in the hospitality industry. With earnings of $7 billion, MGM owns and operates 15 properties worldwide, including Las Vegas iconic Bellagio and Mandalay Bay. And it s looking to recruit veterans. We have job openings for everything from dolphin trainers to floral designers, says Michelle DiTondo, MGM s We have job openings for everything from dolphin trainers to fl oral designers. But what we really need are assistant managers and managers. We currently have more than 1,000 open positions across the company, 200 of them manager positions. Michelle DiTondo, Senior Vice President, of Human Resources, MGM Resorts 48 G.I. JOBS MAY 2014 GIJOBS.COM

4 senior vice president of human resources. But what we really need are assistant managers and managers. We currently have more than 1,000 open positions across the company, 200 of them manager positions. And while many of the jobs are in Sin City, DiTondo says MGM needs to fill its employee ranks in the Washington, D.C., area where in 2016 the company will open its MGM National Harbor in Maryland. OPERATION: OPPORTUNITY Hilton Worldwide s military roots stretch back to founder Conrad Hilton, an Army veteran who served in World War I. It s commitment to America s military remains strong today. Through its Operation: Opportunity initiative, the chain plans to hire 10,000 veterans within the next five years to work at its corporate offices and 3,900 hotels around the globe. Hilton Worldwide understands the exceptional training, critical skill sets, and proven talents veterans possess, says Melissa Stirling, director of military programs. We value a veteran s global perspective, leadership experience, and dedication to teamwork. Hilton is a 2014 Military Friendly Employer and a 2014 Military Spouse Friendly Employer. The company s hottest jobs include food and beverage employees, front desk agents and managers, security officers, engineering supervisors, mechanics, housekeeping supervisors, event services managers, and marketing managers. The chain s largest hiring markets are Florida, New York, Hawaii, California, the Washington, D.C., region, Illinois, Texas, Arizona and Puerto Rico. Full-time employees receive comprehensive benefit packages that include medical and prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, 401(k), access to employee assistance programs, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, and paid time off. Another nice benefit is the Team Member Travel Program, where employees are eligible for discounted hotel rooms for personal travel, depending on availability. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the hotel and resorts sector is projected to gain 181,800 jobs by This year, the U.S. travel industry, whose biggest subsector is hospitality, surpassed its pre- Great Recession employment rate one of the few industries to do so. How d you get your job? After I left the military, I moved to Orlando. I was interested in bartending to make some money, so I attended a local bartending school. After graduating, I was hired as a barback at the Hilton Orlando. Six months later, I saw a front desk opening at the Hilton Austin and applied. I was promoted to my current job last October. What are your main duties? I manage our front office staff and help create a great guest experience. You could say I m the buffer between the guest and the general manager. Most unusual request from a guest? One guest walked in with his wife, who was blindfolded. On a piece of paper he had written that he was surprising his wife, didn t want her to know where they were staying, and asked that no one talk to him. So we checked him and his wife in using written notes. Complete silence. Advice to veterans? Consider a career in hospitality. Be open-minded. I never pictured myself at a front desk. Hilton is a big company and with a lot of open positions. AUNDRE MCCULLEN Front Offi ce Supervisor, Hilton Austin Hotel Hilton Worldwide Age: 28 Corporal, Army National Guard ( ) MOS: Information Systems Management Specialist (42F) What They Do: Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company with more than 4,000 properties in 91 countries and territories. Food and Beverage Employees Front Desk Agents Front Desk Managers Security Officers Engineering Supervisors Mechanics Housekeeping Supervisors Event Services Managers Marketing Managers Top Regions for Hiring in 2014 Florida New York Hawaii California Washington, D.C., area Illinois Texas Arizona Puerto Rico 50 G.I. JOBS MAY 2014 GIJOBS.COM

5 What They Do: The Walt Disney Company owns Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, which host approximately 120 million guests yearly, making it the world s most visited theme park company. Information Technology Facilities, Security Operations Sales Top Hiring Regions: California Florida Connecticut New York TAIESA LASHLEY Catering Guest Manager Contemporary Resort Walt Disney World Age: 26 Specialist, Army Reserve (2009-Present) MOS: Civil Affairs Specialist (38B) BOTH JOBS AND CAREERS. When it comes to hiring military, La Quinta Inns & Suites, too, is a double threat a 2014 Military Friendly Employer and a 2014 Military Spouse Friendly Employer. La Quinta has more than 10,000 employees nationwide and wants to add to its ranks. Top jobs include maintenance, front desk, accounting, sales and management positions. The hottest hiring areas include Texas, What are your main duties? I help guests plan and manage their group events and functions. This could involve everything from equipment set-up to making sure food is served on time to hosting food-and-wine pairings. Coolest thing about your job? Making the guests happy. That s a great feeling and it makes me happy to come to work each day. How d you get your job? After graduating from college in 2009, I joined the Army Reserve. After basic training and AIT, I served in Afghanistan. When I returned to Florida in 2011, the job market was tough. I took temp jobs but really wanted to work in hospitality. I heard that Disney was a great company, so I checked it out. Since I was getting ready to start my master s, I applied to a college program sponsored by Disney and was accepted. I later was accepted into Disney s management internship program. Advice to veterans considering the hospitality industry? Don t be afraid of starting at the bottom. Like in the military, you have to prove yourself. Utah, South Carolina, Virginia and Colorado. Not sure where you ll put down roots when you leave the military? That s cool. You can apply at more than 800 La Quinta locations around the country. That flexibility is one of the reasons La Quinta is a great place for veterans, says Derek Blake, vice president of marketing and military programs. If you just want an hourly job to work until you figure out your next move, we can help. If you want to make hospitality your career passion, we can help with that, too. We offer both jobs and careers. Full-time employees enjoy benefits like medical, dental and vision insurance; employee assistance; flexible spending accounts; 401(k); and discounts on room rates. Those wishing to advance can take courses via in-house learning portals such as LQUniversity. We re looking for people who are adaptable, hard-working, team players, and proven leaders, says Blake, the perfect description of military veterans. MAGIC KINGDOM The Walt Disney Company in 2012 launched the Heroes Work Here initiative to hire, train and support military veterans and their families. Since the program s inception, Disney has hired more than 2,900 veterans and plans to enlist an additional 1,000 through Disney upped its game last year by launching the Veterans Institute, which holds workshops for businesses of all sizes to help them build effective veteran-hiring programs based on Disney s. So where are Disney s hottest jobs for military veterans? According to Kevin Preston, director of Disney s Veterans Initiative, there are all types of jobs at the company from entry-level to executive. However, he said most veterans gravitate toward information technology, facilities, security, operations and sales. These positions tend to draw on the core competencies of the military, says Preston, an Army veteran, leadership, operational expertise, technological experience and interaction with people. We have found that veterans fit really well within Disney s culture. 52 G.I. JOBS MAY 2014 GIJOBS.COM