Employability and Skills Handbook for Tourism, Hospitality and Events Students

          Part One: Employability skills for Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management

1. Introduction to the textbook

Introduction

Textbook scope

Key definitions: Employability and Skills

Using the textbook for professional development in Tourism, Hospitality and Management

Summary

References

2. Sector Overviews

Introduction

The scope of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management Businesses

Leisure and Recreation: Overarching sectoral and research positions

Research strands in support of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management Employability and Skill Development

Summary

References

3. Graduate Employment

Introduction

What is graduate employment?

Types of employment: SME, MNC, Non-profit, Public and Self

Employment and labour markets

Employment in Tourism, Hospitality and Events

Summary

References

4. Skills for Tourism, Hospitality and Events Employment

Introduction

Core, key, and transferable skills

Being entrepreneurial 24/7

Matching skills to job descriptions in the service sectors

Summary

References

5. Text Structure

Introduction

Structure of the Textbook Chapters

Added support: Case study, Activity, & Think Points

Revision Questions, Additional Sources and Reference Lists

Learning gains from Learning Outcomes

A note for academics and teachers

Summary

 

Part Two: Personal Development

 

6. Personal development in Tourism, Events and Hospitality

Introduction

A Personal Skills Appraisal

Skill mapping for Tourism, Hospitality and Events

Summary

7. Self-awareness

Introduction

Definitions of Self-awareness

Critical thinking and neuro-linguistic programming for self-awareness

Personal performance and presentation

Summary

References

8. Relationship skills

Introduction

Personal Relationships

Soft and interpersonal skills for professional relationships

Cultural, cross-cultural and intercultural tenets of relationships

Emotion, Aesthetics and Sexualisation in relationships

Being a citizen of the world

Summary

References

9. Time Management

Introduction

Time management as a personal ability

Strategies for time management

Summary

10. Learning Styles

Introduction

Approaches to learning

Learning styles

Learning forms and styles to aid academic and professional

Summary

References

11. Effective communication

Introduction

Forms of communication: verbal and non-verbal

Written and Digital communication

Summary

References

 

Part Three: Academic Development Strategies

 

12. Goals and Targets

Introduction

Framing your goals and targets through research approaches and philosophies

Types of academic goals and targets

Strategies for meeting goals and targets

Summary

References

13. Finding academic articles

Introduction

Forms of published academic material

Themes and key words

Methods for searching

Search techniques and choosing the literature

Summary

14. Reading academic texts

Introduction

Motivations for reading in personal, academic and professional contexts

Inductive and Deductive Reasoning for Reading

Surface and Deep reading

Strategies for effective reading

Summary

References

15. Academic Writing

Introduction

Conventions within academic writing

Writing using judgement, power and balance

Strategies for academic writing

Summary

16. Secondary and primary sources

Introduction

Types and categories of sources

Using Primary and Secondary sources in different Research Methods

Sources used in academic and professional contexts

Summary

References

17. Motivating yourself

Introduction

Nurturing and developing your motivation

Motivational theories applied in academic and professional contexts

Summary

References

18. Group work and alternative assessments

Introduction

Group work in studies leading to team working in industry

Forms of academic assessment for group work

Summary

References

 

Part Four: Professional Development

 

19. Reflective and reflexive thinking and learning

Introduction

Learning and thinking reflectively and reflexively

Reflecting upon leadership, management, manipulation and influence

Reflexive positions on leadership, management, manipulation and influence from THE management contexts

Summary

References

20. Networking

Introduction

Networking for academic and professional development

Skills for networking

Methods and processes for individual networking

Summary

21. Coaching and Mentoring

Introduction

Performance Management

Coaching and Mentoring

Utilising coaches and mentors for your career planning and development

Summary

References

22. Forms of employment experience

Non-traditional locations for THE employment experience

Summary

23. Career Mapping

Biography

Dr Miriam Firth has worked, researched and taught in tourism, hospitality and events management programmes for over 15 years. Building upon a career in hotel, restaurant and festival management she specialises in supporting the employability of students, and professional development for management in these sectors. From working, and the continued research, in these industries, her publications are informed from both published research and active experience in the contexts into which students will graduate. She is currently Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester (ranked 27th in the world in 2019), Programme Director of BA (hons) Management, Leadership and Leisure, and Director of Teaching and Learning Strategy.

'With over two decades' experience both working in and researching the tourism, hospitality and events industries, the author is pre-eminently qualified to produce this handbook. There are many other human resources and employment texts in the marketplace, but this carves itself a niche for its practical utility for students. Designed primarily as a companion to student learning, a secondary audience could well be leaders in the industry, inquisitive about the competencies and skills their new hires should possess.'

Dr Richard Robinson, Senior Lecturer, University of Queensland, Australia

'This text is unique in that it offers students from a wide range of tourism, hospitality, events and related disciplines an excellent insight into the academic and professional development that is required to underpin their education and for their lifelong learning. The text provides an excellent foundation for researchers in the critical area of professional development. I recommend this book to students, academics and management in the sector as an important, new and contemporary text.'

Dr Susan Horner, Associate Professor, Plymouth University, UK

'This is a much needed and valuable resource for both students and teachers of hospitality, tourism and events courses. Employability and work skills are essential for the future workforce and will ensure relevance for both the industry and the educational institutions that serve it.'

Professor Nigel Hemmington, Pro Vice Chancellor Research Enterprise and International, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

'This textbook is an essential read for any student studying tourism, hospitality and events management. It offers useful, detailed and important chapters on academic and professional development, and will help any undergraduate preparing to study and work in these vibrant and diverse industries.'

Emma Abson, Senior Lecturer, Sheffield Hallam University, UK

'This is a welcome addition to the academic texts in the area of tourism, hospitality and events management. It is refreshing, topical and highly relevant to see a text that is aimed directly at students and also which guides and supports them in developing the necessary skills and attributes to work in today’s highly challenging and competitive tourism industry. Firth provides excellent insights into the demands of working within the industry, current trends and challenges, and a huge awareness of the skills and personal attributes graduates need. The text is well structured with clear LOs for each chapter and engaging activities, case studies and think points to guide the reader. The text is also extremely insightful and supportive for academics within universities who are working with employee engagement, work placements and developing student employability skills. If only a text like this had been available whilst I was studying and to guide me as a graduate in the field of tourism!'

Dr Jane Ali-Knight, Professor in Festival and Event Management, Edinburgh Napier University, UK