When beginning one of the degree programs at EHL, students know that they will have access to many rigorous classes that will prepare them for a career in hospitality. Their coursework will cover a range of different topics related to success in the invigorating industry, from accounting to human resources and foreign languages. They will learn about the different factors impacting the industry and how to manage different departments such as the culinary arts or the housekeeping staff. Many students enter the degree program anticipating these types of courses and immediately understanding the value that they will hold for their future careers.
In addition to these classes, however, many students also encounter a few surprises on their class lists. They soon discover that EHL includes several unexpected classes that provide fun topics of study and still offer immense benefits for the working world. Importantly, these skills will benefit students regardless of where their professional career path brings them, as they translate easily to other industries. Many of the skills taught during these classes are known as soft skills.
Soft skills play an equally important role in thriving in any business. A full 97 percent of employers agree that soft skills can be as valuable, if not more valuable, than hard skills. These soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, and leadership abilities directly influence how well a team is able to operate together and the success of the business.
If you want to uncover educational opportunities that not only prepare you directly for work in the exciting field of hospitality but will also help you grow personally and professionally, come learn more about these unexpected classes that students encounter here at EHL.
Workshop on self-management
The workshop on self-managed is designed to provide students with ample time for personal reflection. Students learn to think deeply about their own personalities and how they interact with those around them. They draw conclusions about their own personal development and then put them into practice. The workshop was established as a means to help students live a balanced life and make their everyday working life more efficient and effective.
Through this workshop on personal reflection, students begin to gain a better understanding of themselves and their relationships with those around them. Rather than simply reacting to situations, they better understand their own motivations and values so that they can respond appropriately and work towards their unique goals.
From a soft skills perspective, this workshop can greatly enhance the ability of students to work well with others. Their improved understanding of their own thought patterns and personality, and how that impacts their interactions, will help them better navigate interpersonal relations. These graduates will learn how to tap into the leadership traits as well as improve their communication skills, empowering them to more fully express their thoughts and ideas. Students, having gone through this workshop, will find it easier to achieve success in group projects, which will benefit them throughout their careers.
Business etiquette
Students attending EHL will also have the chance to take a class on business etiquette. During the class, they will cover topics related to good manners and dress codes for a variety of different types of events. These skills remain critical in the business world. It helps everyone appear more professional when working, and thus this reflects well on them and the company for which they work. Knowing the expected manners before entering the business environment will also help both emerging and established professionals feel more confident in their roles, as they will not have as many questions about the best thing to say or do in a particular situation.
This class also covers the traditional business etiquette for a variety of different countries and regions, which can help students feel more prepared to work in an international environment. They will feel equipped to properly and professionally interact with people from different regions of the world and make a good impression on behalf of both themselves and their company.
Knowing these common manners makes it easier for students to prepare for a variety of different situations and remain courteous and polite throughout the interactions. It will enhance their communication skills, and they will have a better idea of how to make themselves understood in the environment. The confidence they gain from feeling well prepared can also enhance their leadership abilities in the work situation.
Business correspondence
Knowing the best way to correspond professionally can help people make the best possible first impression. They will learn to put their best foot forward in the working world, as correspondence covers a variety of different situations. This course in particular looks at skills involved in letters and email exchanges. Since often in the professional environment, an email is the first contact two people may have with each other before meeting in person, the impression that one makes over email can have a lasting impact. Knowing how to draft a professional, polite, and clear email can empower these students to thrive in their future careers.
Keep in mind that writing emails also pertains to many different areas of any job. People must begin their job search with cover letters and gracious thank you notes after interviews. Email exchanges with everyone from company leaders to customers must also be worded correctly. Even business partners, colleagues, and staff will likely receive professional correspondence at various points throughout a person's professional career. Knowing the proper and polite way to send these messages to ensure that decorum and expectations are met can create an environment where it is easier to communicate and effectively achieve the desired results.
Students today encounter many different ways to communicate in their daily lives. They likely engage with others on social media using hashtags, through text messages with unique abbreviations, and with friends using slang phrases. Learning the proper way to communicate professionally can give them an excellent starting point for their career. Students will leave this class with the tools that they need to get their point across clearly and effectively. This will help them achieve their goals and ensure that they are understood across business experiences.
Web design
The digital world is everywhere now. Companies reach out to prospective customers through the internet, as customers research online and learn more about the businesses they would like to buy from. Online marketing has become the cornerstone of the modern marketing strategy and websites serve as the initial contact point between customer and company for millions of transactions each day.
Students, therefore, should be familiar with the relevant requirements for building and running websites. They should understand how the most important functionalities work and how they help businesses better serve customers. Students should also understand the various analytical tools available for these organizations and how to interpret the data they produce. These skills are valuable across all positions within a hospitality organization, making this course an excellent starting point for students.
Through the web design class, students will learn how they can employ both creativity and the analytical sides of their brains to engage with customers. Although it is not an area of expertise that many people associate with the hospitality industry, its modern importance cannot be disputed.
Rhetoric
During the rhetoric class, students work specifically on their public speaking skills. By fine-tuning their ability to give a presentation as well as learning how to speak freely and confidently in front of an audience, this class provides students with the experience they need to feel assured and poised as they step towards the podium in any situation.
Within the business world, many opportunities for public speaking will arise. Whether it is giving a presentation to the board room, speaking during an interview, or directing guests while at work in the hospitality industry, the ability to express yourself clearly and calmly is highly valued. Speakers who show this clarity and confidence also help to nurture their own leadership skills. They will naturally feel comfortable providing guidance to the group and their excellent speaking skills will help them demonstrate their point of view and convey important information to others involved.
Cross-cultural competencies
The hospitality industry naturally offers many opportunities to encounter people from various backgrounds. Many hospitality businesses work with travelers from different regions and countries, which means that professionals who understand cultural differences and communication will be highly valued.
This course specifically dives into real-world insight using three cultural analysis instruments to help students better understand cross-cultural competencies. Through these studies, students will find that they also nurture a number of different soft skills. Namely, their problem-solving skills and their communication skills will receive further development. As students gain a better understanding of how to handle intercultural issues, they will find it easier to find potential solutions for the issues that may arise within groups. They can look for unique solutions that fit the needs of those involved and understand the points of view of people from different areas of the world. Additionally, armed with their understanding of the different perspectives, these students will graduate better prepared to express themselves and communicate important information in a variety of different contexts.
Equally importantly, students who have studied cross-cultural issues will have greater empathy for people on their teams. Their ability to see other perspectives and understand how to step away from their own preconceived notions will help them broaden their mind and understanding.
Leadership
This particular course takes the soft skill of leadership and breaks it down into a science. Students learn about the theory surrounding the principles of leadership, including how to improve their communication skills and handle conflicts that arise within their team.
Within hospitality, and the business world in general, leadership plays a critical role in people’s success and the success of their organization. Excellent leaders know how to make themselves understood by those around them and how to lead by example. Through this course, students will learn about effective leadership practices and how to implement them.
Since students learn about a variety of different factors that go into quality leadership, including conflict resolution, these students will also have the toolset they need to work exceptionally well on the various professional teams they find themselves on.
Sociology
Students at EHL also will take a course in sociology, which is the study of life within a society. They learn more about life from a global perspective and the social, economic, political, and cultural contexts that influence how people interact and behave.
From a hospitality standpoint, this provides companies with greater insight into what prospective customers might be looking for from a particular company. From a soft skills standpoint, it provides professionals with a tremendous amount of insight into why people behave the way they do, the factors that might motivate them, and how to successfully engage them in conversation so everyone can come to agreements and work effectively on projects. These classes help students improve their ability to lead, work in groups, and communicate with others while also further enhancing their empathy. Their teamwork and interpersonal understanding will help them thrive both internally at the company, and in customer-facing roles.
When it comes to building a successful career in hospitality, the courses offered by EHL can provide students with the training and experience they need to thrive. While the courses will cover a wide range of topics related to the hard skills needed to excel in the industry, students will find that they will encounter a variety of other types of courses as well. These courses might be unexpected, but they offer tremendous value as a means of nurturing various soft skills as well as outside abilities that will help students stand out as professionals. From adding a bit of fun to the school schedule to approaching modern issues facing the hospitality industry-- like the growth of technology-- the curriculum here at EHL works to produce graduates ready to excel in the world of hospitality.