Choosing the Right Hospitality Career Path —
and Why Starting from the Bottom Matters
When most people think of a career in hospitality, they imagine the end goal — managing a luxury resort, leading a restaurant, or creating guest experiences that make headlines. But the truth is, hospitality doesn’t reward shortcuts. It rewards grit, humility, and curiosity.
When I started out, I didn’t jump straight into management. I began with Hotel Schweizerhof Weggis in Switzerland — one of the toughest, yet most formative experiences of my career. I learned how to “recycle” pots and pans, scrub kitchen floors, and understand what it really takes to keep a five-star operation running. Those shifts taught me respect — not just for systems, but for the people behind them.
Later, I interned at a 5 Star hotel in Nairobi, where I began to see the other side of the industry — the leadership gaps. Even in a structured environment, I noticed how easily small disconnects between departments could affect service and staff morale.
That’s when it clicked: good hospitality isn’t just about service, it’s about systems, culture, and leadership that work together seamlessly.
So, if you’re thinking about studying hospitality or wondering which school or path to take, here’s my advice:
- Pick a school that focuses on real-world exposure, not just theory. You need structured internships, kitchen time, and live operations, not just PowerPoints about “guest satisfaction.”
- Don’t be afraid to start small. Every great hotelier, chef, or consultant started on the floor; polishing cutlery, clearing trays, or prepping mise en place. That’s where real hospitality is learned.
- Observe, reflect, and connect the dots early. Your first job isn’t about impressing anyone. It’s about understanding how each piece fits into the bigger system.
Remember that hospitality is both a science and a human art. The earlier you embrace the humility of learning from the ground up, the faster you grow into leadership that lasts.
— Kagz
~ Founder, JNSN Hospitality Partners