We have discussed the types of training available and the schools that offer them. Before making a final decision, you will want to consider two more things: Your needs, and the quality of the schools you are interested in. First, make a determination about what you want and need from a training pro- gram in terms of:
location
finances
scheduling
Read through the descriptions of these concerns on the following pages, and make notes regarding your position on each of them. You may want to
devise a checklist of those items you determine to be “must haves” from the schools you are considering.
Where to Get Your Training
There are excellent training programs offered at schools throughout the country. To select one, you will need to decide where you want to be while getting your education. The best decision from a financial point of view may be to attend school near your home, so you don’t incur the added cost of room and board. However, you may wish to attend only the most presti- gious, competitive programs in the country, and be willing to relocate in order to attend one of them.
Since there are employment opportunities for hotel and restaurant man- agers throughout the country and abroad, where you go to school geograph- ically probably won’t have much impact on your ability to find a job.
However, there are advantages to attending school in the job market in which you will later work. It will allow you to make contacts for future job hunting.
Your school may help with job placement locally, and it may employ as teach- ers people who are in a position to hire hotel and/or restaurant managers.
Your instructors can thus be sources of employment later. Networking is dis- cussed in greater detail in Chapter 4, but keep in mind that having friends from school when you are out in the job market can be a big help.
Finances
Costs of the various programs, and the differences in costs between each type of school, have been touched on previously in this chapter. Now, you will need to think more specifically about what you can afford. While there are many sources of funding for your education (check out Chapter 3), and schools do sometimes offer full or partial scholarships, you will still need to spend some money in order to get a quality education.
When evaluating the schools you are interested in, be sure to find out all the costs, not just tuition. You will have to purchase books, which can cost hundreds of dollars over the course of the program (over a thousand dollars if you are considering a bachelor’s degree). There may be extra supplies or materials fees for your course of study. If you won’t live at home, you will need to pay for room and board—which can total as much as your tuition at some schools. Will you need childcare while attending classes, or have to
drive long distances to get to school? Consider those additional costs when calculating how much you will have to spend.
Don’t rule out any schools in which you have an interest at this point. Just be sure to gather as much information as you can about real cost of atten- dance. Read through Chapter 3 to understand all of your options regarding financing your education. Then, you will be prepared to make an informed decision about which program to attend in terms of what you can afford.
Scheduling
When making a choice about training, you should also think about your schedule and the commitments you may already have made. For instance, do you currently have a job you would like to continue working at while you are in school? You will need to find a program that offers classes at times when you are not working. Will an internship interfere with your employ- ment? It might be a good idea to speak with your employer about your plans and goals. He or she may be willing to offer some flexibility.
If you have young children at home, or some other responsibility that requires your energy and time, consider how you will manage both that responsibility and your education. Some schools offer low-cost childcare to their students. Or perhaps another family member or friend could help while you are attending classes or studying. Be sure to think through all of the poten- tial obstacles to your training and seek out ways to overcome them. The schools themselves may be a source of assistance as well, so don’t hesitate to ask how other students have managed, or how the school can accommodate you.
Another option is part-time attendance. If you are under financial con- straints, you can spread the cost of the program over a greater amount of time. If you have young children at home, need to continue working while getting your education, or have another time constraint, part-time atten- dance can allow you the flexibility your busy schedule demands. But be aware that while both the financial and time commitments to the program are significantly reduced, it is only for the short term. In total, you will have spent the same, or more, time and money getting your degree or certificate.
When you have considered what you want in terms the type of program, location, costs, and scheduling, you will be able to make a decision about the type of school to attend. Now, you will need to evaluate those schools that meet your criteria in order to find the one that best suits your needs.