East Carolina University’s (ECU) School of Hospitality Leadership (SHL) has long been a cornerstone for students aspiring to excel in the dynamic world of hospitality. Their annual career fair, a pivotal event for students to connect with industry professionals, took on an expanded and forward-thinking approach this year, signaling a robust resurgence and commitment to industry growth.
Traditionally, the ECU SHL career fair served as a vital platform for hospitality students to network, secure internships, and even land job offers. Students, prepared with resumes and professional attire, engaged directly with recruiters, forging connections that often shaped their early careers. However, the landscape shifted dramatically with the onset of COVID-19. The pandemic significantly impacted the hospitality sector, leading to reduced company participation and student attendance at career events. Many companies froze hiring or adopted technologies that streamlined operations, impacting staffing needs.
“The hospitality industry, and higher education institutions like ours, faced significant challenges,” acknowledged Bob O’Halloran, director of the SHL. “We are still navigating the ripple effects of those years.”
High school students attending the ECU Hospitality Career Fair listen to a panel discussion about careers in the hospitality industry. The event aims to inspire future hospitality leaders.
A report from the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) in October 2022 highlighted the pandemic’s lingering financial impact, projecting hotel industry revenue to be down almost 20% compared to 2019. Despite this, the report offered a positive outlook, noting a rebound in leisure travel. This resurgence is creating “historic career opportunities for hotel employees alone,” with over 115,000 hotel jobs open nationwide.
This surge in opportunities underscores the crucial role of ECU’s SHL. The school offers a comprehensive undergraduate hospitality management degree with specialized tracks in convention and special events, food and beverage management, and lodging. Moreover, the program extends beyond traditional hospitality roles, preparing graduates for leadership positions in healthcare, retail, grocery, human resources, and even hospitality technology companies.
“We have a curriculum designed to produce highly skilled hospitality professionals and future leaders,” O’Halloran stated. “Our focus now is on enhancing programs that attract and nurture the next generation of industry leaders.”
This commitment to future leadership was evident in the expanded format of the recent Ecu Hospitality Career Fair, held on February 9th at Harvey Hall in ECU’s Murphy Center. Nearly 100 SHL students interacted with representatives from 25 companies actively recruiting for hospitality managers and employees. Adding a new dimension to the event, approximately 100 high school students from North Lenoir, South Lenoir, and Tarboro high schools were also invited to participate.
Investing in Tomorrow’s Hospitality Workforce
The expanded event, officially titled the Hospitality & Tourism Career Pathways Student Conference, specifically targeted high school students across various grades who had expressed an interest in exploring hospitality careers. These students were given a unique opportunity to hear directly from hospitality industry leaders, participate in an engaging panel discussion with recruiters, and get a firsthand preview of the SHL Career Fair.
Yolonda Titus, a food and nutrition teacher at South Lenoir High School, emphasized the broader scope of her curriculum beyond culinary skills. She aimed for her students to understand that “it’s so much broader than just being in the kitchen… it’s hospitality.” Attending the conference was crucial to “let them know that there are many different career paths they can take just by taking our course.”
Kecia Poling, director of the NCRLA’s foundation and workforce development and an ECU alumna, represented the industry perspective at the conference. Her goal was to “let the students know a little bit about the hospitality industry … and that there’s a variety of opportunities in the hospitality field.” She stressed the importance of “reaching these kids to get them interested” to “grow the workforce pipeline as our industry continues to grow and to recuperate from the pandemic.”
Lilly Shifflet, a senior from South Lenoir High School in Kingston, found the event insightful. She learned from the speakers about “the different experiences they had to go through to reach where they are in their career” and was surprised by “how there were so many people in hospitality.”
Andrew Schmidt, president and CEO of Visit Greenville NC and an SHL advisory board member, delivered a compelling message to both high school and SHL students. He underscored the urgent need to replenish the hospitality workforce, especially in the wake of COVID-19. “Our needs in the industry are going to do nothing but increase as we have baby boomers, retirees and more people traveling,” Schmidt explained.
Following the educational sessions, the high school students had the chance to explore the career fair in Harvey Hall. They engaged with recruiters from diverse sectors, including event companies, resorts, hotel management groups, restaurants, sports teams, and amusement parks, gaining valuable insights into potential career paths.
Bob O’Halloran, observing the dynamic interactions between high school students and recruiters, was already envisioning the future of the pathways conference. “I’m very pleased with the turnout and the impactful messages conveyed by our conference participants,” O’Halloran concluded. “We hope this exposure to ECU, SHL, and the broader hospitality industry will ignite a passion in these young minds and inspire them to pursue fulfilling careers in this vibrant field.”
ECU’s School of Hospitality Leadership is strategically expanding its outreach, ensuring a robust pipeline of talent ready to meet the evolving demands of the hospitality industry, now and in the years to come.
