Are you dreaming of a dynamic career as a food and beverage manager in Colorado Springs or perhaps leading culinary teams in world-renowned resorts? Colorado’s thriving hospitality industry offers exciting opportunities, and a strong foundation in resort management can be your ideal launchpad. Imagine gaining hands-on experience in the heart of Colorado’s famous ski resorts while earning a respected hospitality degree. Colorado Mountain College (CMC) provides a unique pathway to achieve your career aspirations, blending practical learning in stunning resort locations with academic excellence.
Elevate Your Hospitality Skills in Aspen, Steamboat Springs, and Vail
Forget traditional hospitality schools. CMC offers an unparalleled learning environment nestled within the iconic Colorado resorts of Aspen, Steamboat Springs, and Vail. These destinations are not just picturesque backdrops; they are vibrant, year-round hubs of hospitality excellence, drawing visitors and industry leaders from across the globe. By studying here, you immerse yourself in the real world of resort operations, gaining invaluable insights and connections that set you apart.
Our Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Hospitality Management is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the industry, with a strong emphasis on practical skills and real-world experience. You’ll benefit from:
- Immersive Resort Experience: Live, learn, and potentially work within premier Colorado resorts and hotels, experiencing the daily operations firsthand.
- Comprehensive Skill Development: Acquire essential hotel and resort management skills, covering all facets of hospitality operations, including a strong foundation in food and beverage management.
- Enhanced Employability: Graduate with not just a degree, but also valuable job experience that makes you highly competitive in the job market, whether you aim for a role as a food and beverage manager in Colorado Springs or beyond.
- Global Networking: Connect with professionals and peers from around the world, expanding your network and opening doors to diverse career opportunities.
- Industry Recognition: Our program is aligned with industry standards, and students are eligible to pursue certifications from the prestigious American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), further boosting your credentials.
From Resort Expertise to Colorado Springs Opportunities
The skills you cultivate in CMC’s resort-focused program are directly transferable and highly sought after in diverse hospitality settings, including bustling urban centers like Colorado Springs. Whether you envision yourself managing a high-energy restaurant, overseeing catering operations for large events, or leading a dynamic beverage service team, the foundation you build here is crucial.
Our curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, ensuring you are job-ready upon graduation. As a CMC hospitality student, you’ll have opportunities to:
- Engage with Large-Scale Operations: Work directly with major hotel and resort operations, understanding the complexities of managing high-volume services.
- Learn from Industry Leaders: Gain insights from small business owners and managers of unique bed and breakfasts and lodges, appreciating diverse operational styles.
- Participate in Event Management: Get involved in the execution of weddings, banquets, corporate events, and large meetings, developing your organizational and service delivery skills – essential for any aspiring food and beverage manager.
- Expand Your Horizons: Travel to national industry conferences like the International Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Show in New York City and the Colorado Hotel and Restaurant Show, broadening your industry perspective.
Advance Your Education and Career Trajectory
After completing your AAS degree, you have a seamless pathway to further your education with our Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Leadership and Management. This bachelor’s degree builds upon your AAS, honing your leadership and management skills, preparing you for advanced roles within the hospitality sector and beyond. This combination of practical resort experience and leadership acumen will make you an exceptional candidate for food and beverage manager positions in Colorado Springs and across the industry.
Fast-Track Your Career with a Hospitality Operations Certificate
Looking to enter the hospitality field quickly? Our Hospitality Operations Certificate can be completed in as little as one year, providing you with a focused skillset to launch your career. This certificate is recognized by the Educational Institute of American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA), contributing towards their prestigious Hospitality Management Diploma. The certificate program is also conveniently available online, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
Credits earned from the certificate program can be directly applied towards the Hospitality Management AAS degree, providing a flexible and affordable route to career advancement.
Learn from our expert faculty who are not just educators, but also seasoned professionals living and working in the world-class resorts of Vail and Steamboat Springs. Develop critical skills in areas vital for success in food and beverage management and broader hospitality roles:
- Front Office Procedures: Master the essential operations of guest services and front desk management.
- Food & Beverage Management: Gain specialized knowledge in menu planning, cost control, service standards, and operational efficiency in food and beverage outlets.
- Hotel & Restaurant Accounting: Understand the financial principles and practices specific to the hospitality industry.
- Hotel Sales and Marketing: Learn effective strategies to attract and retain guests, crucial for revenue generation in any hospitality business.
- Cost Control: Develop expertise in managing budgets and resources effectively, a key skill for food and beverage managers and all hospitality leaders.
This state-approved certificate program is built upon the strong foundation of Colorado Mountain College’s respected Hospitality Management degree program, which has a long history of preparing graduates for successful careers in the global resort industry and beyond.
The certificate program is accessible both live and online and is offered at an affordable tuition rate, making quality hospitality education accessible. Explore our tuition rates to learn more about making your career dreams a reality.
