Career in Hotel Management

Hotel management business is a part of the ever expanding hospitality industry. Hotel Management trains students all aspects of how a hotel is to managed, from guest relations, cooking, resourcefulness, diplomacy etc. In simple words, it refers to the various management techniques used in the hospitality.

Imagine a whirlwind trip through mouth-watering aromas of tasty dishes, eye widening luxuries of famous hotels and heart stopping scenerios of the world. Imagined it? That’s what Hotel Management is all about.

Hotel Management trains students in all the aspects of managing a hotel and its resources. Have you ever wondered how famous hotel brands like Ritz and Taj etc. became famous? What did they do differently that people around the world prefer to stay in them? It is because they understood the art of managing a hotel and excelled in it.

A relatively new field, Hotel Management not only trains student in managerial aspects but also trains them in people management as well. It should be noted that the usage of the word management here has no connotations to any management degree (MBA) but rather is linked to the literal meaning of the word.

The different areas in which students are trained:

  • Hotel administration
  • People management
  • Accounts
  • Marketing
  • Housekeeping
  • Front office
  • Food and beverage management
  • Catering and maintenance

 

Top Colleges

We have come up with a comprehensive table which lists the top colleges and duration of the courses. This will help you to get a glance at all the countries at once.

INDIA

Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development |

Indian Institutes of Hotel management at MumbaiDelhiBangaloreChennai and Kolkata

Career Prospects

Hospitality industry is so diverse that everyone has something in store. Graduates join as trainees under the positions they apply for. While most graduates usually start work in five star hotels or otherwise, a substantial number find themselves working in restaurant management, cruise ship hotel management, institutional and industrial catering, club or bar management, airline catering and cabin services.

It creates one job every 2.5 seconds globally. In India, it has grown so massive that it employs more people than the traditionally huge industries like banking, automotive manufacturing, chemicals manufacturing, education, financial services, and mining sectors.

According to the World Tourism Council, for every $1 million in Travel & Tourism spent in India alone, 407 jobs are supported, 258 direct, 94 indirect and 55 induced. In 2014, it generated 8.7% of the total employment. These massive figures and rising numbers have turned tourism and hospitality in an industry which is immune to the looming economic breakdowns and recessions. The reason is simple: no matter what happens, people won’t stop eating and meeting each other.

Jobs & Salary

Compensation per annum

Intially , it will be a slow start with salary ranging from 1 lakh to 4 lakhs per annum. But, with time and experience, you can move ahead to 10 lakhs per annum within 6-7 years.

Apart from hotels, hotel management graduates are also employed in

  • Airline companies
  • Retail industry
  • Theme parks, casinos, and spas
  • Coffee chains, pubs, bars and multiplexes.

BPO and KPOs: This can be termed as a lateral employment. A lot of BPO and KPOs hire hotel management graduates as they have excellent customer skills and are well versed in customer relations.

In 2014 Travel & Tourism directly supported 23,024,000 jobs, and this is expected to rise to 29,020,000 jobs (5.7% of total employment) in 2025.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Not many fields offer you the job satisfaction of seeing a customer fill his stomach or have a pleasant stay. If you’re a people pleaser, this is the path for you. Travel: If you love travel then this is the field for you as it offers a variety of options to seek employment in hotels or cruises across the world.
  • Hotel management also teaches you about how to plan a budget for a party or a hotel. It may come handy in your personal life!
  • Immaculate manners and respectable demeanour form a part and parcel of life, so guys they can come handy to impress your female friends. Girls, apart from diamonds love manners in a man!

Cons

  • Work Environment: the work hours are long and stressful, and you are expected to be extremely courteous and warm with guests.
  • Less salary at the beginning of career, as compared to graduates from other fields.
  • You may have to wear uniforms at work, if you hated doing so at school, well it just adds to it now!

 

Career in Journalism & Mass Communication

Mass communication is the study of spreading information to a large audience through the various means of communication. Journalism is the activity of writing about recent developments for newspapers, magazines etc. It has enveloped reporting done through radio and television.

We all are connected through a web of different means of communication. Whether it’s the latest scores of Cricket matches or news on natural calamities, we get to know about them, thanks to the technology and the mass media. Mass communication is nothing but dispersing information to a huge number of people, i.e., the whole country or the world.

It is said that journalism is the first draft of history. If mass communication is the activity of dispersing news, journalism is concerned with collection and dissemination of news through the print media as well as the electronic media. This involves various areas of works like reporting, writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting or cable casting news items.  Journalism includes investigating, analysing and reporting local as well as world events, trends, current affairs, and so on.

Top Colleges

Mass Communication is a field that examines the processes, institutions and effects of the media at both the national and international platforms. It typically falls under the umbrella of Art and Social Sciences streams. The course duration varies in different countries.

INDIA

Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication

Christ University, Bangalore

 Manipal Institute of Communications, Manipal

Amity School of Communication, Noida

Many colleges in India offer a BA in Journalism. Some also have a B.Sc in Journalism and Mass Communication. Similarly, at the Master’s level, an M.A or an M.S in Communication are the degrees awarded.
To become a journalist, one can complete a Bachelor’s in mass communication/ mass media/journalism after class 12. After completion in a related graduation field, one may complete a Master’s in journalism or mass communication. However, it is not mandatory to do a Master’s in journalism in order to get a job. In fact, the best way to learn journalism is by getting on the field. Those who want to get a better understanding of various communication theories, research techniques and an in depth knowledge of various other fields related to communication, Master’s degree is advisable.
Some qualities and skills that are needed to become a journalist:

  • Inquisitive nature
  • Investigative mind
  • Alert demeanour
  • Adaptive and tolerant of changing and difficult situations
  • Good communication skills
  • Good command over languages
  • Confident
  • Enthusiast
  • Patient
  • Ability to differentiate between fact and f
  • Ability to adhere to dead
  • sensitivity to different views and life
  • Interested to know about various fields such as politics, culture, religion, social and current affairs

Most often people think journalism is all about writing well. While that is true, most good professors will tell you that the course is also about a lot of reading. Good writing is developed only if you are an avid reader. Journalism is for people who are ready to explore various opportunities 24/7, without the constraints of cultural upbringing, gender, and are also ready to go beyond geographical boundaries.

Career Prospects

Graduates of Mass Communication & journalism courses programs work in a variety of fields in traditional news media and publishing, advertising, public relations and research institutes.

Following are the various job profiles offered to graduates in mass communication:

  • Journalist/News reporter
  • Fashion Photographer
  • TV Correspondent
  • Producer
  • Radio Jockey/ RJ
  • Public Relations Officer
  • Content Writer

Jobs & Salary

Thanks to mass media, there will never be a dearth of job opportunities for students majoring in mass communication. News and entertainment job opportunities are in abundance for trained professionals in various roles – particularly in journalism and films. India being the largest producer of films in the world creates ample opportunities for media specialists in the movie business. Technically qualified media professionals can work for TV channels, production houses or can make documentaries on their own.

Compensation per Annum

Initial salary may vary between 2- 6 lakhs per annum, with experience, there is no limit to the growth in terms of position as well as salary.

Following are the top companies in India which hire mass communication experts:

  • Hindustan Times Group of Publication
  • NDTV Network
  • Zee TV Network
  • Times of India Publication Group
  • Viacom

In order to get hired in the best firms, besides pursuing a journalism courses from a mass communication institute, you will need to possess certain specific skills or interests. You should have keen interest and sound knowledge of news and current affairs. A global perspective on various issues will also help you in obtaining the desired position. Similarly, if you are interested in electronic media, you must have hands on experience and practical knowledge on video editing. Most of the mass media training institutes offer internship programs with news channels or entertainment channels which will help you get a job after completion of the journalism course.

Pros & Cons

Like any other career option, studying mass communication too has its positives as well as a flip side.

Advantages:

  • Recognition, fame and money
  • Challenging work opportunities
  • Travel as you work
  • Job satisfaction

Disadvantages:

  • Hectic schedule and erratic timings
  • Personal life may get affected
  • Stress and pressure (journalists often face political or social pressure)

Career in Architecture

Career in Architecture

Architecture is the science as well as the art of designing a building or any physical structure. This is a unique field that combines art and culture, science and technology and even elements of business.

History has gifted us with amazing architectural marvels. The Tajmahal , Murdeshwar temple of Karnataka, The Kailasa temple at Ellora, Maharashtra, the Colosseum, the Great Pyramid of Giza and many others give us a glimpse of our past and has paved the way for the future.  The importance of architecture s in preserving culture and also in the advancement of Civilizations. Architecture is definitely interesting!
As a professional course it is lengthier than other bachelors’ programmes like arts and humanities. The duration of undergraduate study varies from country to country.  The degree awarded is popularly known as ‘Bachelor in Architecture (Bachelors in Architecture). The course usually involves long hours of work in the form of studies, projects and design drawings.
Architects are work on:

  • Developing ideas with the client
  • Earmarking budgets
  • Assessing the layout of the building and its impact on the local environment
  • Working on building designs and projects
  • Site selection and work in tandem with contractors on site

An architect’s job is also to ensure that the work is carried out to specific standards and above all, ensuring that the structure being built is sustainable, functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Top Colleges in India

School of Planning and Architecture

Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee

Center for Environmental Planning and Technology

Sir JJ College of Architecture

Outside India, USA, UK and Australia which are the preferred destinations to study architecture, there are many premium architecture schools in Europe. Programmes in Spain, Scotland and Denmark are rated very high and students can live a cosmopolitan life in campuses across these countries. For other European universities, the course duration is around 5-6 years depending on the country and registering board.

 

 

Architecture in India

Admission into Bachelor of Architecture courses in India is usually conducted on the basis of entrance examinations conducted by various universities. This could be state-wise, (for admission into architecture related courses for specific state listed universities), students can take the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) or a separate examination conducted by the IITs (Architecture Aptitude Test) for admission into their elite set of institutes. Other reputed universities like BITS conduct their own entrance examinations. An undergraduate course in India is typically for a period of 5 years. Following successful completion of the course, a graduate has to register with the Council of Architecture by passing certain requirements. This registration is renewable. A lot of importance is given to design drawings so we recommend that you practice them as much as you can.

Career Prospects

The typical companies which hire architecture graduates are from

  • Construction
  • Real Estate
  • Engineering
  • Technology and Information technology
  • MNC banks

Also, architects are hired for specific work by

  • Public Sector Departments
  • Management Consultancies
  • Market Research Companies

Students who complete their graduation can join a firm or start their own practice as an architect. The suggestion though, is to first work for a firm. This would give them much needed experience in dealing with clients and to cater for their needs and an understanding of the work involved and of the market. This knowledge will help when they want to start their own firm.

Jobs & Salary

Following are the jobs for architect graduates:

  • Interior designer
  • Architectural technologist
  • Building surveyor
  • Town planner
  • Landscape architect
  • Planning and development surveyor

Compensation per Annum

Initially the salary may range between Rs.2 to 6 lakhs per annum. With few year’s experience in hand, it will reach upto 10 lakhs in 5-10 years. And beyond that with own Architecture firm, sky is the limit.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Being a highly creative field, architecture is a very satisfying profession as ideas can be turned into reality
  • The study of architecture also involves a related study of various fields of human endeavour, including Art, History, Material Science, Physics and Engineering. Hence, it is a very diverse field attracting the most brilliant and creative minds.
  • It is a well-paying field as large firms looking for fresh talent and new ideas.

Cons:

  • Architecture is subject to the economy and guided by the way economy behaves. If the economy is depressed, there will be fewer constructions leading to a lack of demand for architects.
  • Undergraduate study of architecture is a very tough and endearing process like medicine and requires intensive study which may seem taxing.

Career In App Development

In the first blog of this new series, we are going discuss about career opportunities in App Development.

Can you Imagine life without WhatsApp! Would you believe that this mobile app that has completely obliterated the SMS system of sending messages is not even 8 years old in India? Mobile Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, TrueCaller, Swiggy, Zomato, M-Indicator  etc. are nothing but software programs that run on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. These apps are developed by software engineers or programmers who design, develop and test the mobile applications on different mobile operating systems and devices.

According to the 2017 statistics, India has over 281 million people using the mobile internet every day. Recently, it has also been ranked as the world’s fastest market for maximum mobile app downloads on popular mobile operating systems – Apple iOS and Google Android Play Store, with Netflix and Tinder emerging as the top two favourite mobile apps. There is endless data to support that in the technology market, app development is the current favourite.

But building a career as an app developer requires planning. For starters, knowledge of programming languages like Objective C, C++, C# or Java is a must. And unless you are an iPhone loyalist, in which case you will only need Objective C, knowledge of other programming languages like Java is required for creating Android Apps and also to develop your own mobile apps. Knowledge of HTML5  is needed for developing cross-platform mobile apps.

Available Courses

Building a career as an app developer requires planning. For starters, knowledge of programming languages like Objective C, C++, C# or Java is a must. And unless you are an iPhone loyalist, in which case you will only need Objective C, knowledge of other programming languages like Java is required for creating Android Apps and also to develop your own mobile apps. Knowledge of HTML5  is needed for developing cross-platform mobile apps.

As an app developer, you will spend your day developing, testing and improving apps. Besides the prerequisite qualification, the job will require you to have a basic understanding of UI and application design. A bachelor’s degree in Software/Computer/IT Engineering, Mobile Application Development,  Mobile Computing or Computer Science  is the minimum most employers look for when hiring mobile apps developers. Interestingly, although most apps are built for the Apple (iOS) and Android platform, neither Apple nor Google offer any courses on app development.

In US & UK universities, there are several short term introductory courses as well as long term modules on App development included in the degree programs of science & engineering of the relevant subjects.

There are few excellent postgraduate programs  (M Sc.) programs in mobile application.

Whereas, Most institutes in India also offer short-term certificate courses in app development. The Bharati Vidyapeeth is among very few universities in India which offers a three years full-time course in Bachelors of Science in Mobile Application Development, admission to which is through an entrance exam for the limited 90 seats.

Career Prospects

The smartphone app trend reached India six months late which is why although globally the app usage has grown by a mere 11%, India is still an expanding mobile app market. Quick adoption and integration of advanced technologies have resulted in massive growth in this space with music, media, entertainment, business and finance, and utilities as the top apps currently being most downloaded and used. Another reason for the comparative large-scale growth of local app developers is the low cost of app development in India.

Augmented reality and virtual reality-based apps particularly in the gaming world are quite popular. Furniture stores, retail and real estate industries are also now exploring growth options through AR based mobile apps. Apps based on Internet of Things (IoT) is also gaining prominence.

Jobs & Salary

While the primary job of app developers is to create apps in accordance with the client’s expectations of quality and functionality, they are also responsible for consulting and designing the app’s interface, devising fixes on the app and providing support in the cross-platform alignment of apps.

It has been estimated that by 2020, approximately 300,000 new mobile app development roles will be created which will involve work on iOS and Android apps.

Following are some of the profiles an app developer can work as:

  • App developer
  • UX Designer
  • Analysts
  • Game developer
  • Web Content Manager
  • User Experience and Usability Expert
  • Mobile UI designer
  • App Tester
  • Mobility Architect

USA & some European countries will remain the highest paying countries for this, In India, the average salary for an app developer is around Rs. 40,000 per month. These figures do not, however, include bonuses and other perks. Employees with knowledge and experience in Spring, Java/J2EE, Hibernate, and PL/SQL command a greater average pay with more opportunities for growth in position and pay.

Pros & Cons

Along with the core technical skills, app developers should learn how to create a marketable product and optimize its visibility amongst its competitors. The job involves a high level of interaction with the internal team as well as with clients, hence, ability to collaborate well with others, adaptability, strong communication and interpersonal skills will help succeed in this career. Here are a few advantages and disadvantages of being an app developer:

Pros

  • App developers are some of the best-paid professionals in the technology industry
  • Opportunity to work across platforms and industries
  • Opportunity to create and deploy your own apps

Cons

  • There is a need for specialized knowledge and to continuously update oneself with the latest in app development technology
  • Extended work hours

 

Famous Personalities in India

gunjan patidar

Gunjan Patidar, Zomato

Though he is IIT, Delhi Alumni, but his specialization was in textile engineering, but his interest was more in coding in college days, that proves , it’s more about your keep interest and passion, which will lead you to the success.

 

 Sachin Teke, M-indicator

VJTI, Mumbai Alumni. Rarely you will find Mumbaikar who doesn’t know the M-Indicator app, A simple concept based app , which changed his life and also making an impact to the lives of millions of daily commuters of the Mumbai City.

Timeline :

2008 – Apple launches Apple Store/ Android launches Android Market.

2009 – Android Market get 200,000 applications listed and 4.5 billion applications installed.

2011 – App Store get 9.9 billion downloads.

2012 – Android Market gets new branding – Google play.

2013 – Google play features more than 1 million apps and passes 50 billion app downloads.

2014 – App Store reaches 75 billion app downloads.

2017 – 268 billion app downloads.

 

Did you now?

  • Android is the most bought mobile operating system in the world
  • 74% of mobile app developers work on two or more platforms at the same time
  • 63% of app users prefer to make purchases on mobile apps