I Am New to this Site and Need Information from Experienced People in the Business

[ipinkham]

hello everyone. i am a college student in louisiana and i am currently working on my bachelor in hospitality management and tourism at northwestern state university. i know that i want to go into work and deal with boats whether its working at a boat marina or a yacht club. i am just not very sure what choices in jobs i have with a college degree. i am not very knowledgable when it comes to maintnance and i dont even have a boat of my own right now, but this has been a love of mine my whole life. i thought i would ask because everyone seems very friendly on this site so far. if any of yall have any information on this topic i would greatly appreciate it. i am preferably trying to work in new orleans or mandeville and along the northshore of lake pontchartrain.
thanks!

[Lancerbye]

Welcome aboard. Set your goal and work towards it. Enjoy

[scook1]

Working in the Hospitality industry takes a special person. You could look into Charter Brokerage. Helping you clients plan and execute their charters.
Spencer

[maytrix]

Depending on the type of work you want to do, there is likely specific training you could take.

My brother-in-law who pretty much wants and expects everything handed to him and has no boat background other than owning a small sailboat once did work in a boat yard. I believe he got most of his experience there and didn't do any formal training until later when he went on his own building small boats. When he realized it involved more hard work he went back trying to claim disability and get money given to him. It's too bad, because he did do some really nice work.

So if he can do it, I'm sure someone like yourself who seems more driven certainly can.

[Wetlandsman]

Might try the crewing on a casino boat...

[James S]

Originally Posted by Wetlandsman

Might try the crewing on a casino boat...

That,s what I was thinking as well.

[sww914]

Hospitality training and a love of boats but no experience at sea, you're looking at a career on bigger boats. You won't need to know how to fix the boat, they'll have engineers for that.

[ipinkham]

thank yall for the info. does anyone know how the income is working at a yacht club with a college degree?

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Management is what you are wanting to strive for but even with a college degree you will be expected to start at the bottom and work your way up. My advice is to go to several of the yacht clubs and ask around. Take whatever job you can get and if it isn't to your liking and they won't promote you within 6 months then move on to the next club until you find what you are looking for.
Sometimes, when the economy is good, City, County or State marinas are hiring. That would garner the best benefits but the basic pay may not be the best.
Good luck in whatever you may try. Persistence is the key to success and the best thing to learn is to show up on time and do the best you can at whatever task you are given.
Kind regards,