But What About Hospitality Jobs In Pittsburgh?

We are speaking about hourly positions in hotels and restaurants. You know, the positions that most people seem to think of as stop gap employment opportunities until they find a “real” job. Wait staff, night auditors, short order cook, housekeeper and so forth. We had the opportunity to speak with Marc Gordon a couple of months ago at a national meeting we attended. Marc is the president of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association. What he spoke about had mostly to do with tourist type destinations like Chicago and Indianapolis. They have found that the fastest track to a lucrative long term career actually lies in Hospitality! So many people view the industry as not one they wish to spend the rest of their careers in that those that do are able to move up much more quickly than any other job category. By the time a college graduate reaches 30, they could be managing their own restaurant or hotel for a single owner or national chain. Work ethic and drive is all it takes.

We bring this up because the landscape is starting to change in Pittsburgh and timing would be excellent for any hourly job seeker to consider a long term career in Hospitality. If you love working with the public this is an opportunity not seen in decades. With two major casinos slated to open over the next year or two, a new arena for the Penguins about to break ground (with extensive retail and restaurant development going up with it) as well as numerous new hotels under construction or being planned the need in this area will be one of the bright spots for our job market for many years to come. Starting out at a lower wage now while gaining experience in the industry will pay fast dividends to any motivated individual willing to work hard and stay in the industry. Hotel and restaurant operators in Pittsburgh are beginning to see the effects of the improving job market. It is not as easy to fill positions as it was last year or the year before. Educating prospective future employees, especially those entering the job market for the first time, on the long term benefits of working in hospitality will create a win-win for themselves and hundreds of Pittsburgh area residents!