Career Explorations - Retail, Tourism, Recreation & Entrepreneurial

About This Cluster:

Careers in the Retail, Tourism, Recreation & Entrepreneurial Cluster cover a lot of territory and many different kinds of jobs. This cluster includes the people who wait on customers in stores, people who work in hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions, and people who start their own businesses.

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Types of Jobs and Where They Are

The economies of Connecticut and neighboring states greatly influence the health of the retail, tourism and recreation industries. They also influence the climate in which entrepreneurs can flourish and “grow” their companies. Two rapidly expanding fields — information/ communication technology and services for our aging population — could hold the greatest opportunities for entrepreneurs. Throughout this cluster, the talent, creativity, drive and experience of an individual are often more important to his/her success than having an advanced degree.

     To give students a picture of the exciting career opportunities in the state, we filmed people at work in a variety of careers in member companies and agencies throughout the state. The careers highlighted in the videos included jobs for graduating high school students, people with 2-year, 4-year and advanced degrees. Examples of jobs highlighted in the videos are: Assistant Store Manager, Office Manager, Director of Marketing and Entrepreneur.

     There is also a video available for this cluster that includes work site footage and interviews from the following companies: West farms Mall, Boulders Inn, Lux Bond & Green and FitLinxx.

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With a high school diploma or college associate’s degree:

• Customer Service employees ensure that positive, long-lasting relationships exist between customers and businesses or organizations. They address customer needs and ensure customer satisfaction by providing and supporting cost-effective solutions.
• Retail Sales professionals help customers select and purchase merchandise. They perform routine duties such as completing product returns or exchanges, and they stock shelves with merchandise, prepare displays, mark price tags and keep work areas neat and clean. They must listen to and communicate effectively with customers and co-workers.
• People in Hospitality are responsible for catering to customers’ needs at functions held on and off site. They oversee all aspects of event planning from beginning to end in order to ensure the satisfaction of their customers.
• Travel and Tourism professionals give advice and make arrangements for their customers amid constantly changing transportation fares and schedules. They coordinate the services for transportation, car rentals, lodging, tours and recreation. They provide information about restaurants, weather, tourist attractions, customs requirements, required papers and currency exchange rates.
• Food Service workers are responsible for preparing food and drinks that are attractive, meet health code and safety standards, and taste good. They ensure the good impression of the business by delivering service that is prompt, courteous and to the customer’s liking.
• Entrepreneurs finance, launch, organize and manage their own businesses. They provide products or services to customers or to other businesses and the public. Businesses range from sole proprietorships to large corporations with hundreds or thousands of employees.

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With a four-year degree and beyond:

• Finance specialists plan, organize, direct, and monitor the financial activities of retail, travel, entertainment or recreational operations.
• Legal and Regulatory professionals monitor, strategize, plan and provide legal, legislative and regulatory information to meet the legal needs of an organization and its customers.
• Retail Development specialists build and design stores, displays or entire shopping complexes. This field is dependent on the health of the local economy or the need for remodeling due to a facility’s age or heavy use.
• Human Resources professionals plan and coordinate the personnel, training, outside contract management and labor relations of a particular department or entire business.
• Tourism/Recreation managers and directors plan and direct travel, lodging, entertainment, food service and recreational activities to meet customers’ needs.
• Marketing and Sales specialists and managers are responsible for overseeing the marketing, advertising, purchasing and sales management for a department, entire store, shopping center, or recreational and entertainment operation.

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Courses of Study Needed

High school courses that are important for careers in this cluster include business principles, marketing and math, as well as nutrition, food preparation and food service for the restaurant business. Computer skills are essential, as they are for all other clusters in the School-to-Career series.

     The hotel industry, for example, requires strong computer, organizational and communications skills. You need to know how to write, type a letter, use proper grammar, construct an outline and print out spreadsheets. You also need excellent communication skills for dealing with other employees and the general public.

     Opportunities to earn better salaries and benefits and build a lifetime career usually require moving into management or operations positions. Some retail companies have training programs that will accept high school graduates without additional education, but completing college programs in marketing or finance will offer a better route. While many fast-food companies offer management training opportunities, becoming a chef in one of the state’s many restaurants usually requires being trained at a culinary institute.

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Educational Background Needed

Whether you are a high school graduate, have a college degree or an advanced degree, you can find a job in government, education or human services. The high school academic background needed to prepare for careers in this cluster are often focused on the subjects of history, political science, economics, English, science, human development, psychology, sociology, math, science, engineering and computers.

     Although some jobs in the public sector can be gained with a high school diploma and specialized training, almost all jobs in this cluster require additional education beyond high school, and many require a bachelor’s or graduate degree.

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Kinds of People Who Work in This Cluster

• Enjoy working directly with the public
• Are challenged by competing for the consumers’ business or by trying to develop a new product/service
• Believe running their own small businesses would be satisfying
• Find the world of restaurants, hotels and travel intriguing

Special Characteristics of Entrepreneurs

Many people who get ideas for new products or services decide to become entrepreneurs and open their own businesses. Although having the right product or service idea is essential, knowing how to run a small business usually makes the difference between success and failure.

     Successful new businesses have one thing in common — the hard work that led up to success. Entrepreneurs must be willing to do whatever it takes, from sweeping floors to marketing and everything else in between. Entrepreneurs are exposed to every aspect of a business, and it is their drive to succeed that will hold their companies together during hard times.

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Characteristics and Skills Vital for Advancement

Employers and experts cite the following practical and academic skills as keys to advancement in the Retail, Tourism, Recreation & Entrepreneurial Cluster and all job clusters. (Download the Industry Skills Standards for Retail, Tourism, Recreation & Entrepreneurial - 9 page PDF file)
• Strong literacy and excellent communication skills
• State-of-the-art computer and technology skills
• Strong math skills, and science in some fields
• Teamwork skills
• Flexibility and desire to learn new skills
• Cross-functionalism: the ability to transfer skills and learn new ones in order to perform many functions in the workplace
• Multicultural awareness
• Fluency in at least one other language, in some fields

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Education Requirements and Average Salary Levels

Note: All salary ranges listed are current industry averages. Actual jobs may pay more or less depending on a number of factors.

Level of attainment: High school diploma, college associate’s degree, or specialized training:

• Customer Service $19,000 - $33,000
  (Customer/sales/services representative)
• Travel and Tourism $10,000 - $31,000
  (Group tour operator, ticket/travel agent)
• Retail Sales $11,000 - $18,000
  (Merchandise handler,. sales associate)
• Food Service $13,000 - $25,000
  (Baker, bartender, chef, food preparation worker, server)
• Hospitality $12,000 - $26,000
  (Banquet services, front office staff, guest services agent, reservation agent)
• Entrepreneurial (unlimited)
  (Broker, developer, home-based business owner, small businessperson)

For Bachelor’s, Masters or Doctorate Degrees/Other Professional Degrees & Certificates

• Finance Specialists
  Bachelor’s Degree $29,000 - $59,000
  (Financial analyst, account/auditor)
• Legal/Regulatory
  Bachelor’s Degree $18,000 - $50,000
  Law Degree (J.D. & Admission to Bar ) $49,000 - $106,000
  (Public safety officer, private law, legal consultant-specializing in international and enforcement, interstate trade/gaming, attorneys — specializing in patents and cyberspace)
• Tourism/Recreation
  Managers and Directors
  Bachelor’s Degree $20,000 - $44,000
  (Hotel manager, restaurant and food service manager, grant writer, travel agency manager, public or private club manager, arts administrator/manager, attractions manager)
• Marketing and sales specialists and managers
  Bachelor’s Degree $27,000 - $78,000
  (Buyer, purchasing manager, advertising and public/customer relations manager, retail sales manager, photo stylist, merchandise distributor, sports marketing specialist)
  Master’s Degree $39,000 - $84,000
  (Market research analyst, telecommunication specialist)
• Human resources managers and specialists
  Bachelor’s $41,000 - $77,000
  (Training specialist, training and human resources manager/director, employee assistance program officer)

Additional Resources

Retail, Tourism, Recreation & Entrepreneurial Career Explorations Video

Teacher's Guide for Careers in Retail, Tourism, Recreation & Entrepreneurial (PDF file)

Student Activity Sheets for Careers in Retail, Tourism, Recreation & Entrepreneurial (PDF file)

Industry Skills Standards booklet (Retail, Tourism, Recreation & Entrepreneurial section only) (PDF file)

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About this Cluster

Types of Jobs & Where They Are

With a High School Diploma or College Associate’s Degree

With a Four-Year Degree or Beyond

Courses Needed

Educational Background

Kinds of People Who Work in This Cluster

Special Characteristics of Entrepreneurs

Characteristics & Skills

Education Requirements & Average Salaries

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