Homework: Industry Sector Report and Interview
Purpose of the Homework
The purpose of this homework is to expose your deeper into one of the many individual sectors that comprise the tourism and hospitality industry. Additionally, this homework will require you to consider viable career tracts including job titles, job roles, and responsibilities, character traits for success, and future job outlook and salary prospects. Finally, this homework will require you to identify, solicit, and complete a face-to-face interview with an individual currently working in this position to gain a greater appreciation and understanding for the identified career track as well as an expanded network of professional contacts.
Tasks for the homework
I. Identify which industry sector most interests you.
a. Lodging
b. Restaurants
c. Gaming
d. Convention Visitor Bureaus/State Tourism Offices
e. Contract Services
f. Attractions
g. Cruise Lines
h. Consulting
i. Transportation (i.e. airlines, buses, jet charters)
j. Conventions, meetings, and special events
k. Etc. etc. (just ask?)
II. Study this industry sector thoroughly collecting data through a literature review, association website, and governmental reports.
a. Identification of Industry sector trade associations or professional organizations involved with specific topical area
b. Definition of the sector (SIC and NAICS codes)
c. Segments of the sector
d. Unique aspects of the sector
e. Statistics regarding the size of the sector
o Annual sales
o Number of establishments
o Number of employees
o Industry sector and unions
o Labor shortages/surplus
o Sector major players (companies)
I. A brief overview of Industry players (i.e. Harrah's, Wynn)
II. Company or franchise or?
III. Job titles of interest (i.e. Dir. of Group Sales)
IV. Job responsibilities of (e.g.) (i.e. sell, prospect, reports)
V. Job requirements of (e.g.) (i.e. Bachelor's degree)
VI. Character traits for success or failure for (e.g.)
VII. Specific details of (e.g.)
o Salaries
o Minorities and gender issues
o Moving requirements
o Glass ceiling
o Working conditions
o Trends within the specific job or industry career track
I. After a thorough analysis of literature and all secondary data sources, you will conduct a face-to-face interview with an individual currently working in this position to gain a greater appreciation and understanding for the identified career track as well as an expanded network of professional contacts.
1) Identify the locals who have the specific job of interest
a) Business directories
b) Teachers
c) Business websites
d) Local industry association websites/contacts
2) Develop interview goals and objectives
3) Identify specific interviewee prospect
a) Document interviewee contact information
4) Develop an interview schedule (i.e. questionnaire)
5) Contact and schedule interview
a) Tell them who you are HRT Grad student
b) State the purpose of your call and your project homework purpose
c) Do not let them force you into doing it over the telephone or email
d) Try to get them off-site for coffee (i.e. fewer work interruptions
e) Tell them you need about 30 minutes of time (i.e. they will talk longer no worries)
f) Call or email them 24-48 hrs. in advance to confirm time and place and to see if other more pressing matters have changed their schedule
6) Conduct the interview
a) Professional dress
b) Professional demeanor
c) Bring two copies of the questionnaire
d) Bring paper and pens (DO NOT BRING A COMPUTER TO TAKE NOTES ON, IT WILL SLOW THINGS DOWN, NOT SPEED UP, AND MOST IMPORTANT IT MAY INTIMIDATE YOUR INTERVIEWEE)
e) Pay the bill for both you and your interview subject
7) Send them a thank you note
I. Write up the interview lessons learned.
a. Positives and negatives of this type of position
b. An in-depth look at how this position interacts with the rest of the organization
II. Add the interview summary and lessons learning into your DRAFT term paper already 70% completed (hopefully)
III. Develop a strong conclusion
a. Purpose of your paper
b. Industry sector overview
c. Specific job overview/details
d. Interviewee details
e. Overall project and interview identification of new knowledge
f. Application of this new knowledge to your life
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.