Starting next year, all of you in the BSc programmes are going to have the option of doing an Honours Thesis or taking two Level 4 electives. The Honours Thesis is a 5-credit requirement taken over two semesters. So, if you decide on the two electives, one will be a 2-credit subject and you will have three 2-credit subject options you can chose from to combine with a 3-credit subject of your choice. Since this puts you in a position to make choices, I want to be sure you consider all of the options carefully.
First, let’s consider the option to do an Honours Thesis. While I know many of you might first think you will gladly opt out of doing an Honours Thesis, there are some things you might consider before making that decision. If you have ambitions to pursue higher level degrees such a Masters or maybe even a Ph.D. or DHTM in your future, the Honours Thesis would be a highly recommend option to take as it will better prepare you for those studies. Another consideration might be if you have found a particular area of hotel or tourism management that hasn’t been covered in depth in your subjects and you’d like to explore on your own, then an Honours Thesis is a great way to do just that. I’d also add that if you like research and/or doing statistical analysis (something I learned I enjoyed only after I got to my Ph.D. level), then definitely chose the Honours Thesis option.
Okay, knowing most of you will opt for the electives, let me give you some further thoughts on the three different 2-credit subjects you can chose from. The subjects are finance, customer relationship management, and e-business. I realize that the first thing you’ll probably think about is which one will be easiest and choose that one, but before you do, stop and think about your future career and what the industry might expect from you.
For those of you in hotel management, I can assure you that knowledge of finance is critical to your success no matter what area of hotel management you plan to pursue. I was a sales and marketing person in the hotel business most of my career and believe me, I needed to understand financial considerations in every decision I had to make related to MICE industry business, as well as how to establish and manage marketing budgets. This is particularly true when we are in an economic downturn. The management of hotels today involves financial decisions and many of the owners of hotels are financial institutions, so if you are going to be a leader in the hotel industry some day, you are going to need to understand the principals of finance.
The other two subjects are customer relationship management and e-business. Should you decide that financial management isn’t the way you want to go, even after my advice above, then here are some things you might consider in choosing between the other two subjects. If you enjoyed the marketing subject you took and/or if you have a particular interest in the sales and marketing aspects of a hotel or promoting a destination, then customer relationship management would be a good choice between these two options. This subject is a good way to learn how to put marketing concepts you’ve learned into practice. It would be a particularly good recommendation for tourism students who like destination marketing or management. E-business is another choice. I don’t have to tell any of you how important e-business is today; you see it all around you everyday. This is a big factor in the travel industry and it is also an important subject for those who might want to own your own small business someday, the entrepreneurs amongst you ought to consider what you can learn about creating e-businesses related to hotel and tourism. Tourism students with interest in the travel industry or even aviation should consider this as a good subject for you in particular.
Regardless of what option you choose, be sure to consult Willie-Wilson Chan, your academic advisor about it. This is also a decision you should feel free to use the “Voluntary Faculty Advising” program for, as we’d all be happy to discuss our thoughts on the choice you have to make and give you advice on what might be best for you depending the area of the industry where you want to pursue your career. Willie can also help connect you with a faculty member.
Good luck with making you choice and have a great summer. See you again in the Fall!!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
There is No Such Thing as a Bad Placement
So, why do I say there is no such thing as a bad placement, or even second-class placement? To answer that, you have to consider the objectives of a WIE placement opportunity are. Certainly, one is to learn how to apply what you learned in classroom to the “real-world”, but another very important objective is for you to experience how managers in the hotel and tourism industry manage people.
On the first point, I’ve heard a number of concerns expressed by SHTM students lately, including at the most recent Undergraduate Programme Committee meeting, indicating a sentiment that the only good learning experience is with a five-star hotel or a top level travel organization. Well, I have to tell you that simply is not true. As we all know, the industry is experiencing a very difficult financial situation right now and it’s the hotels at the top of the luxury class and the travel companies who cater to the major global financial corporations who are suffering most. On the other hand, McDonalds is one of the few companies in the USA whose stock has gone up. I’d also point out that three-star hotels in Mainland China are in better shape with occupancy declines than five-star hotels, in fact some five-star hotels are now pricing themselves in the range of three-star properties in some cities just to get business. So, consider the fact that you will learn more about how to apply what you learn in the “real world” if you have customers to serve than if you are doing your placement where business is slow. Also think about it, those making money are more apt to give you more opportunities in the long run, right?
Of course, I don’t mean to imply that a placement with high-end brand hotel or tourism organization isn’t a good thing; it’s just that you can learn from every experience at this stage of your learning process. In fact, when I was in a senior management position with those high-end brand hotels, I often looked to recruit managers from less well-recognized and even less luxurious hotels, because I knew he/she had learned a great deal from that experience and would appreciate what a high-end brand had to offer.
Another challenge some may face is that you end up with a supervisor or manager who doesn’t give you much time or even respect. Our W.I.E. team, Chris and Edelweiss, do everything they can to try and prevent that from happening, but reality tells us not everyone is good at supervising or managing people. Therefore, if you should have an unfortunate situation where the placement doesn’t end up being everything you hoped it would, first let Chris or Edelweiss know, but also consider turning the situation around yourself. What I mean is reflect on it and take it as an experience to learn what you wouldn’t do if you were supervising or managing someone. I know some of my best lessons in management came because of people I worked for whose management style was ineffective. When that happened to me, I tried to make sure I didn’t manage the same way he/she did myself.
As you finish your exams and begin your placements, I trust you’ll keep my words of wisdom in mind. You have to make the placement work for you; it’s really up to you to make the most of it, not the organization or even the supervisor or manager you work with. Enjoy it, have fun, and of course work hard!
On the first point, I’ve heard a number of concerns expressed by SHTM students lately, including at the most recent Undergraduate Programme Committee meeting, indicating a sentiment that the only good learning experience is with a five-star hotel or a top level travel organization. Well, I have to tell you that simply is not true. As we all know, the industry is experiencing a very difficult financial situation right now and it’s the hotels at the top of the luxury class and the travel companies who cater to the major global financial corporations who are suffering most. On the other hand, McDonalds is one of the few companies in the USA whose stock has gone up. I’d also point out that three-star hotels in Mainland China are in better shape with occupancy declines than five-star hotels, in fact some five-star hotels are now pricing themselves in the range of three-star properties in some cities just to get business. So, consider the fact that you will learn more about how to apply what you learn in the “real world” if you have customers to serve than if you are doing your placement where business is slow. Also think about it, those making money are more apt to give you more opportunities in the long run, right?
Of course, I don’t mean to imply that a placement with high-end brand hotel or tourism organization isn’t a good thing; it’s just that you can learn from every experience at this stage of your learning process. In fact, when I was in a senior management position with those high-end brand hotels, I often looked to recruit managers from less well-recognized and even less luxurious hotels, because I knew he/she had learned a great deal from that experience and would appreciate what a high-end brand had to offer.
Another challenge some may face is that you end up with a supervisor or manager who doesn’t give you much time or even respect. Our W.I.E. team, Chris and Edelweiss, do everything they can to try and prevent that from happening, but reality tells us not everyone is good at supervising or managing people. Therefore, if you should have an unfortunate situation where the placement doesn’t end up being everything you hoped it would, first let Chris or Edelweiss know, but also consider turning the situation around yourself. What I mean is reflect on it and take it as an experience to learn what you wouldn’t do if you were supervising or managing someone. I know some of my best lessons in management came because of people I worked for whose management style was ineffective. When that happened to me, I tried to make sure I didn’t manage the same way he/she did myself.
As you finish your exams and begin your placements, I trust you’ll keep my words of wisdom in mind. You have to make the placement work for you; it’s really up to you to make the most of it, not the organization or even the supervisor or manager you work with. Enjoy it, have fun, and of course work hard!
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