Food Service Management: Jobs You Could do with a Bachelor's Degree in the Field
No matter what happens to the economy, people will still need to eat. Food and drink establishments will continue to exist. If you are passionate about food but also interested in the business aspect, a food service management degree is an excellent start to realizing your dreams.
You also need to understand what food service management is and your possible career path to make an informed decision. Food service managers have a positive career outlook with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, projecting an increase in the employment rate by 9% between 2016 to 2016.
What Is Food Service Management?
Food service management cuts across the hospitality, leisure, and travel and tourism industry. It involves the control and oversight of food and beverage establishments to ensure the profitability of the business. A food manager will provide supervision and leadership in these establishments to ensure that customers are satisfied with the quality of both food and services offered. Some of the duties of food managers include:
- Managing staff, which includes hiring, training, and supervision.
- Financial management. They count money, make deposits, oversee budgeting, manage payroll records, and business transactions.
- Resolving conflicts, internally and externally
- Coordinating the work schedules of staff
- Oversee food production
Due to the nature of their work, food service managers require resilience, ability to multitask, leadership skills, and business knowledge. The skills not only help them execute their duties flawlessly but also handle their day to day challenges. Food service managers sometimes have to deal with unsatisfied clients, which needs both problem solving and customer service skills.
Benefits of Formal Training in The Field of Food Service Management
Food service managers mostly work their way up from entry-level positions as cooks, hosts, and hostesses while others start as management trainees. Ambitious individuals who are out to succeed usually go for training in either colleges or culinary institutions. To become a food service manager, you need years of experience backed up by a wealth of knowledge through education.
Formal education gives you the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in your field of work, some of which may not be available for when learning on the job. You also gain the advantage of ascending the career ladder quickly into more lucrative positions. Formal training is especially important as this position requires knowledge of complex business such as accounting and financial management.
Other than skills and experience, you get to connect with like-minded individuals who are bound to provide you with support and mentorship in your career. Since most programs incorporate internships, you also gain hands-on experience, so you are fully equipped for your job.
Where You Could Work with a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Service Management
After you are done with your degree, acquired the necessary skills and relevant industry experience, you could find work in a variety of food establishments. The following are some of the career paths you could take with your bachelor’s degree in food service management.
- Corporate and independent restaurants
- On-premise and off-premise catering
- Hotels and resorts in the hospitality industry
- Educational Institutions such as schools and colleges
- Healthcare facilities including hospitals and retirement homes
- Corporate dining services for workplaces
- Sports and entertainment facilities
What Formal Training Teaches You in Readiness for the Workplace?
A bachelor’s degree is desirable for most employers seeking to fill the position of a food service manager. This is because the program should adequately prepare you by instilling relevant knowledge and skills, which forms a firm foundation on which to build your career.
A bachelor’s degree program could last 4 years at a traditional college or as little as 2.5 years in an accelerated program. You’ll generally cover the following areas directly applicable in your line of work.
Leadership
Food service management is a supervisory role requiring you to provide direction and motivation to the rest of the staff. A food service management program should teach business ethics and strategic planning and implementation for you to effectively manage your staff and come up with viable business strategies. Leadership skills gained through formal training will be instrumental in helping you make informed decisions for the good of the business.
Operations Management
Food establishments rely on different systems that work together for the smooth operation of the business. Knowledge in operations management allows you to coordinate the distinct systems for optimal productivity and profitability efficiently. Some of the areas taught include marketing, creation of customer service systems, project management, and restaurant simulation.
Financial Management
Most businesses fail because of poor financial decisions. Your role as a food service manager involves taking care of the financial decisions of the company to minimize risk. This needs proficiency in preparing, analyzing, and interpreting financial information for use in decision-making. Formal training should teach you about accounting, budgeting as well as revenue and facility management, which you can count on to help you in managing your future business’ finances.
Enroll for a Food Service Management Program Today!
If you are ready to enroll and start working toward your dreams, ECPI University offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Service Management at an accelerated pace. For more information, connect with a friendly admission representative today!
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Food Service Management - Bachelor’s
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