WHO WE ARE
My Hospitality Life is an exciting careers programme developed to support young people’s understanding of the hospitality industry. Students taking part benefit from a range of dynamic activities that better their awareness of the industry; helping them to explore why this is an exciting career, understand the job roles and opportunities, the education routes and they may also even gain contacts from higher education or industry. Teaching and career staff can access our bespoke CPD events as of March 2019 (please visit the CPD page for more information).
19000
Over 19000 students supported via direct interactions
350
Over 350 hands on activities delivered across on project year
50000
Over 50000 people supported via conferences and career fairs
78%
Increase of students interest in hospitality careers following just one visit from My Hospitality Life
97%
Increase of students understandings of the hospitality industry following just one visit from My Hospitality Life
SCHOOL SUPPORT
SCENARIOS
Delivered in your classroom as either a one off activity or part of a careers day; our scenarios offer students exciting hands on activities rooted in real world experiences and that link to curriculum (supporting Gatsby Benchmark 4: Linking curriculum learning to careers).
HOTEL MANAGEMENT
DURATION: Full version 2 hours or part version 1 hour
STUDENT NUMBERS: 20 students ideal but can accommodate up to 30
STUDENT YEAR: 8+
Based on real work experiences, this scenario challenges students to think like senior management in business and save a struggling hotel from being shut down by the bank.
Working in 2-4 groups, students are asked to make decisions on aspects of marketing, restaurant menu design, utilities, events, staff morale, personal development and customer care. Students also need to consider training, computer systems and whether they need to dismiss a key staff member.
The game allows students to have creative freedom in theirdecisions and really step into a leadership role.
This activity runs as a competition, with each team competing against each other to see who can make the biggest profit.
EVENT MANAGEMENT
DURATION: 2 hours (this activity can not be reduced in time)
STUDENT NUMBERS: Max 40 students per session
STUDENT YEAR: 11+
Based on real work experiences, this scenario challenges students to think like senior management and create a bid to win a contract for a charity concert.
Working in groups (as many as required), students are given a client brief to plan a charity concert. The students will have to create a company name/logo, decide which charity they are supporting, pick their entertainment, consider food and beverage, costings, locations, health and safety, marketing materials, venue and staffing.
The activity allows students to have creative freedom in their decisions and really step into an enterprising role.
This activity runs as a competition, with each team competing against each other to win the bid.
SUSTAINABLE HOTEL
DURATION: 1 to 1.5 hours
STUDENT NUMBERS: Max 40 students per session
STUDENT YEAR: 8+
Based on real work experiences, this multiple choice scenario challenges students to think like senior management and ensure their business is considerate of the environment, customer needs and budget requirements.
Working in 2-5 groups, students are asked to make decisions on food wastage, energy usage, waste management, water usage and general
environmentalism.
The game scores students on their choices and, in the final question, gives creative freedom and asks the groups to think of their own ideas.
This activity runs as a competition, with each team competing against each other to see who was able to balance the environment, customer needs and budget requirements the best.
HOTEL REVENUE MANAGEMENT
DURATION: 15 minutes
STUDENT NUMBERS: Any size
STUDENT YEAR: 7+
Based on real work experiences, this multiple choice scenario challenges students to think like frontline staff and make crucial revenue management decisions.
Working either independently or as one large group, students are given a series of scenarios to consider and need to decide which customer options will be best for the business.
The game will give the students a ranking on how well they didcompared to other players and confirm how much profit was made and the percentage of room occupancy.
CAREER TALKS
The career talks discuss with students the many business related roles available. Students will learn about salaries, career prospects, job titles, education routes and more! A short interesting facts quiz at the end adds an interactive element. For sessions over 30 mins the Hotel Revenue Management activity is added to increase the interactivity.
DURATION: 30-45mins
STUDENT NUMBERS: Any size
STUDENT YEARS: 7+
CAREER FAIR
The project can support school career fairs by hosting an 'Information, Advice and Guidance' stand on the hospitality industry. The stand will provide information on many exciting roles available, from event planning and hotel management to marketing and design! Education routes and expected salaries will also be made available to students visiting the stands.
DURATION: Not applicable
STUDENT NUMBERS: Any size
STUDENT YEARS: 7+
INDUSTRY VISIT
The project can help arrange a visit to Wivenhoe House Hotel, a 4* country house hotel located on the University of Essex campus. With sponsored bedrooms from hospitality leaders such as Hilton and Milsoms, the hotel is a great place to inspire students to consider the many roles available within the industry.
DURATION: 45mins
STUDENT NUMBERS: Max 20 students
STUDENT YEARS: 7+
HIGHER EDUCATION INSIGHTS
Through the project's connection to the Edge Hotel School we have a great source of higher education support. There is a lecturer series which covers topics like: 'Menu Engineering', 'Event Management Styles in Hospitality', 'How to Measure Teamwork & Team Roles', 'Innovation and the Future of Hospitality Management' and even 'How to be a Millionaire'! These are primarily delivered on site at Edge Hotel School, University of Essex, Colchester, but for schools in the area there may be possibility to deliver at your facility.
DURATION: 1 hour
STUDENT NUMBERS: Max 30 students
STUDENT YEARS: 11+
3.8m Employed in the hospitality industry by 2025
MORE INFORMATION
My Hospitality Life: Workshop Brochure
What year groups can take part?
This project is aimed at secondary schools upwards. Please read the information per offer for advice on appropriate year groups.
How many students can take part?
The activities can accommodate a small group to a whole year group. Please read the information per offer for advice on group sizes.
What locations are covered?
We endeavour to support wherever possible. We are based in Essex but have worked in Norfolk, Kent, London, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and other surrounding counties. We may also be able to support further away; please do get in touch to discuss further.
What are the costs for school support?
No costs are involved for us to visit your school. If visiting the University of Essex campus for our full school day activity then you will need to cover transport and food for students.
What dates are available for school support?
We operate with a very small team so dates are given to schools on a first come first serve basis. It is advised to get in touch as soon as possible to discuss dates with our team. Please note we are also available to run our offers during school holidays or weekends.
Is this for students interested in chef careers?
While the chef side is a massive part of the industry, this project is focused on the business operations side and cannot support any requests for chefs/catering activities. Please be advised there are other providers who do offer this type of outreach.
What subjects match the activities?
Often hospitality employers are happy for prospective employees to have come from a range of education backgrounds so there is no necessary subjects. However, students studying the following GCSE/A Levels/BTECs may be particularly interested; Business Studies, Marketing, Economics, Food Technology, Art & Design, Languages, English Language, Hospitality or Travel and Tourism.
What are the costs for Teacher CPD?
School are expected to cover travel but there are no ticket fees and additionally lunch will be provided. Attendees will also be given access to our range of learning materials free of charge.
What dates are available for CPD?
These dates will run across the year so please check out the teacher CPD page for more details.
Do you cover apprenticeships?
The project always informs students of the many different routes into the industry, which includes comments on apprenticeships being available, however the project is not connected to any apprenticeship schemes and cannot offer any detailed information on this pathway.
Do you cover degrees?
Yes, My Hospitality Life is an initiative by the Edge Hotel School (University of Essex) so can offer detailed information the university courses offered by the Edge Hotel School or alternatively link your school to the university for more information.
How do I book?
For school support please email or call us directly (information available via the contact tab)
For CPD events please use our CPD page for details.