Step into a dynamic, people-focused industry with opportunities in tourism, food service, event management, and more. Hospitality careers offer flexible pathways, skill-building, and room for advancement. Discover the training and resources available to start or advance your journey in this vibrant field.
Tallahassee’s hospitality industry supports thousands of jobs across hotels, restaurants, tourism, and event venues—many of which offer on-the-job training and opportunities to grow into leadership roles.
Many top hotel managers, executive chefs, and event planners got their start in entry-level roles like server, dishwasher, or front desk associate—it’s one of the few industries where you can truly work your way to the top!
The hospitality industry offers clear pathways for growth, with many professionals starting in entry-level roles and working their way up to management positions. Whether you begin as a housekeeper, line cook, or front desk associate, gaining hands-on experience can open doors to supervisory roles, departmental leadership, and even general management. Earning industry-recognized credentials—such as certifications in food safety, hospitality management, or event planning—can help you stand out and advance more quickly. With dedication, strong customer service skills, and a willingness to learn, it’s possible to build a long and rewarding career in hospitality, right here in Tallahassee or around the world.
Customer Service Skills
Communication
Organization
Flexibility
Teamwork
Multitasking
Bartenders craft and serve beverages in bars, restaurants, and hotels, often becoming a key part of a guest’s social or dining experience. They must have knowledge of drink recipes, be skilled in mixing techniques, and provide excellent customer service in a fast-paced environment. Bartenders also manage inventory, keep the bar area clean, and sometimes assist in food service. This role is perfect for individuals who enjoy working with people, have strong multitasking skills, and can maintain a calm, friendly demeanor under pressure.
Mix and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, check IDs, handle payments, maintain a clean bar, and interact with customers.
Bars, restaurants, hotels, resorts, and event venues.
High-energy, social work environment that often includes evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Strong communication, memory, attention to detail, basic math, and customer service.
No formal education required; on-the-job training is common; bartending school and alcohol service certification (like ServSafe) may be preferred.
Lead bartender, bar manager, beverage director, restaurant manager, or hospitality entrepreneur.
Cooks are the backbone of the food service industry, preparing meals with precision, speed, and attention to quality. Depending on the setting, they may follow specific recipes or have the freedom to add creative flair. They also manage prep work, maintain clean and safe kitchens, and coordinate with other kitchen staff. This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy hands-on work and take pride in preparing delicious food.
Prepare ingredients, cook meals, follow recipes, manage kitchen tools, and maintain cleanliness.
Restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, catering companies, and food trucks.
High-paced kitchen environments that require physical stamina and strong teamwork.
Time management, attention to detail, multitasking, food safety knowledge, and teamwork.
Many start with on-the-job training; culinary school or certifications (like ServSafe) can open doors to more advanced roles.
Line cook, sous chef, executive chef, catering manager, or restaurant owner.
Front Desk Associates are the welcoming face of hotels and resorts, responsible for helping guests with check-in, check-out, reservations, and general questions. They play a key role in setting the tone for a guest’s entire stay. This position requires a balance of hospitality, administrative skill, and the ability to solve problems quickly and professionally.
Greet guests, process check-ins and check-outs, handle bookings, answer questions, and resolve issues.
Hotels, motels, inns, resorts, and boutique accommodations.
A guest-facing role with a mix of administrative and service duties, often requiring shift work.
Customer service, computer literacy, communication, organization, and problem-solving.
High school diploma or equivalent; hospitality or customer service experience preferred; on-the-job training is common.
Guest relations manager, front office supervisor, reservations manager, or hotel general manager.
Housekeepers ensure guest rooms and common areas are clean, comfortable, and well-stocked, playing a critical role in the guest experience. Their work helps uphold cleanliness standards and contributes to a positive and safe environment. This behind-the-scenes role is ideal for detail-oriented individuals who take pride in maintaining a clean space.
Clean and sanitize rooms, restock supplies, report maintenance issues, and follow cleanliness protocols.
Hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, hospitals, and other large facilities.
Physically active role with repetitive tasks and varying schedules; independence and time management are key.
Attention to detail, efficiency, reliability, discretion, and time management.
No formal education required; on-the-job training is standard.
Housekeeping supervisor, facility manager, laundry services manager, or hospitality coordinator.
Reservations Agents assist guests in booking their stays, managing changes, and answering questions about availability, rates, and amenities. They may work in hotels, call centers, or remote settings, and often serve as a guest’s first point of contact. This role is perfect for individuals who are detail-oriented, tech-savvy, and enjoy working with people over the phone or online.
Book reservations, respond to inquiries, update systems, process payments, and manage cancellations.
Hotels, resorts, travel agencies, and customer service centers (on-site or remote).
Desk-based work involving multitasking across phone, email, and booking systems; accuracy is key.
Customer service, communication, computer literacy, organization, and patience.
High school diploma or equivalent; training on reservation systems provided by employer.
Revenue manager, front desk supervisor, travel consultant, or hotel sales coordinator.
Restaurant Managers oversee the daily operations of a restaurant, ensuring that everything from staffing and customer service to inventory and budgeting runs smoothly. They are responsible for maintaining a high standard of food quality and service, managing teams, resolving issues, and creating a welcoming environment for guests. This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy leadership, multitasking, and working in a dynamic, people-focused environment.
Supervise staff, manage budgets and schedules, handle customer feedback, oversee daily operations.
Restaurants, cafes, hotel dining rooms, and catering services.
Fast-paced, high-responsibility role with a strong emphasis on teamwork and customer satisfaction.
Leadership, communication, problem-solving, organization, and hospitality knowledge.
High school diploma or equivalent; many have associate or bachelor’s degrees in hospitality or business; experience in food service is often essential.
General manager, regional manager, food and beverage director, or restaurant owner.
Waitstaff play a key role in a guest’s dining experience by taking orders, serving food and drinks, and ensuring customer satisfaction. They are the face of the restaurant and must balance efficiency with excellent customer service. This role is perfect for those who enjoy working with people and thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Take orders, serve food and beverages, answer menu questions, handle payments.
Restaurants, cafes, hotels, and event venues.
High-energy, guest-facing role with varying shifts and physical activity.
Customer service, communication, multitasking, teamwork, and memory.
No formal education required; on-the-job training provided
Head server, restaurant manager, event coordinator, or sommelier.
Executive Chefs are the top culinary leaders in a kitchen, responsible for menu creation, managing kitchen staff, ensuring food quality, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the kitchen. They combine culinary creativity with strong leadership and business skills. This role is ideal for experienced culinary professionals who are ready to lead a team and shape a restaurant’s identity.
Design menus, manage kitchen staff, order supplies, ensure food quality and safety.
Restaurants, hotels, resorts, catering companies, and private clubs.
High-responsibility leadership role requiring both creativity and operational oversight.
Culinary expertise, leadership, time management, budgeting, and quality control.
Culinary degree often preferred; extensive kitchen experience typically required.
Corporate chef, restaurant owner, culinary instructor, or food and beverage director.
Travel Agents help clients plan and book vacations, business trips, and group travel experiences. They offer expert advice on destinations, accommodations, activities, and travel logistics. In an era of online booking, travel agents add value by providing personalized service and handling complex itineraries. This role suits individuals who are detail-oriented, organized, and passionate about travel.
Plan trips, book flights and accommodations, advise on destinations, handle changes or issues.
Travel agencies, remote/home offices, and tourism companies.
Client-focused work with occasional travel and ongoing learning about destinations and trends.
Organization, communication, customer service, attention to detail, knowledge of travel tools.
High school diploma or equivalent; travel and tourism certifications are a plus.
Travel consultant, tour operator, event planner, or travel agency owner.
Event and Meeting Planners organize and coordinate events such as weddings, conferences, banquets, and corporate meetings. They handle everything from selecting venues to managing vendors and ensuring everything goes smoothly on the day of the event. This career is perfect for detail-oriented individuals who enjoy multitasking and creating memorable experiences.
Plan logistics, book venues, manage budgets, coordinate with vendors, oversee events.
Hotels, convention centers, event planning companies, and freelance/independent settings.
Highly dynamic role with varied tasks and a focus on deadlines and client satisfaction.
Organization, communication, time management, negotiation, and creativity.
Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, business, or communications is helpful; experience is key.
Event director, wedding planner, conference coordinator, or hospitality manager.
Guest Relations Managers focus on creating an exceptional experience for hotel guests by addressing concerns, managing VIP services, and overseeing guest communications. They ensure a high level of satisfaction and loyalty. This role is ideal for someone who excels at problem-solving and enjoys providing exceptional service.
Resolve guest complaints, coordinate special services, manage feedback, support front desk operations.
Hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and luxury service providers.
People-centered role with an emphasis on service, professionalism, and problem-solving.
Interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, hospitality knowledge, and attention to detail.
Degree in hospitality or business is helpful; experience in guest services often required.
Hotel manager, director of guest services, customer experience manager.
Bartender
Concierge
Front Desk Associate/Hotel Clerk
Housekeeper
Reservations Agent
Waiter/Waitress
Cook
Restaurant Manager
Executive Chef
Travel Agent
Event/Meeting Planner
Guest Relations Manager
