What is it?

Hospitality, Recreation and the Arts includes careers in restaurants, bars and hotels (Hospitality); parks, recreational facilities, monuments and tourist attractions (Recreation); and the performing, visual and literary arts.

How do people get prepared to work in the sector?

Some parts of the sector, particularly Hospitality, do not require a diploma, certificate, degree or experience to work at the entry levels. Prep cooks, dishwashers and hotel housekeepers, for example, can get entry-level jobs without experience and work their way up. Some large companies have unions, training programs and opportunities for advancement. Soft skills, such as strong communication and problem solving skills are valued, as is speaking more than one language. Degrees in Restaurant or Hotel Management, Film and Media, and Broadcasting are valued in the field, and can by found at many CUNY, SUNY and community college campuses.

Are there jobs in this sector?

Tourism is on the rise in many parts of New York State, creating jobs in all areas of the sector, as visitors need places to eat, drink, stay overnight, visit, learn about nature and culture and enjoy themselves.

Teaching about Hospitality, Recreation and the Arts in Literacy and ESL Classes

The NYSED/CUNY CareerKit in Hospitality, Recreation and the Arts includes graphs, articles, essays, and math designed to help students learn about the sector as a whole, how to pursue a career in the sector, and how to become an informed consumer of it. Teachers can use the skills chart to find activities in line with the skills already being studied in class.