Academic Plan SWOT Analysis

Academic Plan SWOT Analysis

Shalynn Allsup

02/12/2012

My Career In Hospitality Management

I am currently a Junior, transfer student at Utah Valley University by way of Weber State University, where I am majoring in Hospitality Management. A BS in Hospitality Management degree requires 64 credits remaining for graduation plus 10 more GE credits. I will average 13 credits per semester which will take 6 more semesters. I plan on graduating Fall 2015.

My list of completed courses:

General Ed Courses:

Intro to Writing

Intermediate Writing

American Civilization

Ethics and Values

Personal Health and Wellness

Into to Literature

Intro to Theatre

Intro to Meteorology

Intro to Geology

Library Research

Power Reading Strategies

Career and Major Exploration

Public Speaking

Basic Computer Applications

Children’s Music and Movement

Botany

Music Theory

Aural Skills

Human Nutrition

Physical Education

General Psychology

Intro to Algebra-non transferable

Core BS Courses:

Intro to Hospitality

Accounting

Concert Choir

Music and Fine Arts

Education Psychology

Social Work

My list of prospective courses:

General Ed Courses (10):

College Algebra

Economy

Biology

Core BS Courses (64):

Hotel Ops I and II

Food and Beverage

Hospitality Managerial Accounting

Hospitality Finance

Food and Bev Controls

Marketing and Hospitality Services

Hospitality Industry Management

Internship

Hospitality Law

Business Communications

Business Statistics

Career Preparation

Business Presentations

Organizational Behavior

Management Communications

Foreign Language

ESL

Business Statistics

Food Production Principles

Business Electives

Pastry and Baking Skills

Strengths I have recognized are first, the interest factor. I have been raised in the Hospitality industry and I want to some day start my own hospitality business with my husband. I have a passion for meeting people and making them feel welcome in my world. I thrive on exceeding the needs of the people I love and tending to every detail. Also, the online access to the course is appealing for me. I am a Distance Education student and this major is tailored for students in my situation. I look forward to the Business Management classes as well as Food and Beverage production. The Pastry Baking class looks like a lot of fun… just not sure how I can do it as a Distance Ed student.

Opportunities within this field would be the skills to work with people in every network and area of life. Even outside the career of Hospitality, I will be provided with the skills to have guests in my home, serve my friends and neighbors as well as build relationships throughout my life. I am fortunate to have successful business owners as my parents to mentor me and support me in my career with an honest and sincere influence. The hospitality program will provide everything there is to offer in lodging, restaurants and vacation activities. As such, it is an ever growing field with many opportunities to develop and obtain management positions.

Some set backs I have or may have would be mostly discouragement. I am a Junior already and still have more than half of my schooling left to finish. I know I will struggle with my foreign language classes as well as Statistics and Law. But I am determined to finish and to finish well. I hope to finish before my children are old enough to realize that mom has homework, just like they do!

The thought of paying on student loan debt can seem threatening as my husband and I are both full time students living off of student loans. But I consider it an investment in my future as well as the future of my family. I am a good budgeter and time manager. Balancing school and family is the biggest struggle for me and prioritizing is harder than ever. My husband is graduating this year and I’m sure my load will be a little lighter then.

The hospitality industry is currently seeking 200,000 new executives worldwide at hotels, restaurants, resorts, food and beverage, travel and tourism, entertainment venues, spas, and a large variety of other service-oriented businesses. The lowest wage I can expect with my bachelor degree is $35,000 all the way to positions offering $150,000 annual salary.