Fisher College Hospitality & Tourism Advisory Board

Rich W. Metzger
Assistant Program/Program Director for Hospitality and Tourism

My fascination and love for this industry began in the sixth grade when my elementary school class went on a field trip to a small airport in Newark, New Jersey - today called Liberty Airport, one of the nations busiest. I can still remember standing outside the terminal doors listening to pilots talk to air traffic controllers in their tower over loudspeakers and using binoculars to watch propeller driven planes take off and land. On the bus ride back to school I promised myself that someday I would work in that industry. Now a little over 45 years later I look back and say that was a promise I'm so glad I kept.

I've made a very successful and personally rewarding career from working in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. I've traveled through most of Europe; Caribbean; Mexico; Canada; Hawaii; popular destinations in the United States; cruised in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans; flown first and business class; and I'm not done yet! For a number of years my wife and I owned our own leisure travel agency. After selling our travel agency I started doing consulting work, helping people buy and sell travel agencies. Along the way I began to teach as an adjunct in New Jersey, which continued when we moved to New England. For a few years after our move we owned and operated a small home based travel business - specializing in Disney destinations. I continued adjunct teaching in the Boston area. Teaching subjects from hospitality including hospitality law, tourism, especially geography, airline computer reservations, business, entrepreneurship and communications.

I'm a great believer and advocate for education both at the academic and professional levels. Academically my MBA is from California Southern University, graduated Summa Cum Laude, presently perusing my Doctorates. Professionally, through The Travel Institute I'm a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC), Destination Specialists in many areas of the world and Lifestyle Specialists for the different special interest and needs of clients.

Here at Fisher College I have the unique opportunity to combine and share two of my strongest passions travel and teaching. As a small private college, I get to know my students and help them better prepare to make the change from their academic career to their professional career. Our curriculum is state-of-the-art and up-to-date, we often engage in field work at some of Boston's finest and most luxurious hotels, with more planned outside Boston, including a trip to New York. Industry speakers will be stopping by to share their experiences and entertain questions.

Above all else, I'm dedicated in helping you become part of the world's largest and most dynamic industry - Hospitality and Tourism.

A successful internship experience can pave the way to the beginning of a new career. In today's world, the more experience you have the better equipped you will be to handle the challenges of a new job. That is why Fisher College requires its baccalaureate students to complete a semester's internship. During the course of a semester, Hospitality & Tourism students gain first-hand experience as front desk clerks, reservationists, travel consultants, tour specialists, meeting planners and marketing assistants just to name a few. Our innovative curriculum prepares students for a variety of career opportunities and the internship program is designed to match students to an experience that will complement their education and allow them to explore the inner workings of a job within the industry. Associate in Science degree candidates can select an internship in place of a free elective.

Hospitality Internship providers:

What the hospitality industry is saying about our students:

"Yet again I find myself amazed by the caliber of intern being produced by Fisher College's Hospitality and Tourism Management program. Katie and Serkon, the most recent of them to work with my staff at the Inn @ St. Botolph, were every bit as professional, intelligent, and all around impressive as I have come to expect. Katie's communication skills were among the best I've seen, and Serkon's enthusiasm for the industry was unparalleled. I'd be delighted for either of them to join my staff full time in the future, and I look forward to working with more interns from Fisher's exceptional program." Michael Farrar, Assistant Manager, Inn at St. Botolph.

"Thank you for sending such a great intern." - Chrystina Dolan, Registrar/Social Program Coordinator, Embassy CES Boston Study Group.

"We greatly appreciate the opportunity in having Gina complete her internship with us at the Bulfinch Hotel.  She has been a huge asset to everyone.  The combination of her desire to learn, bubbly personality, and ability to adapt to different departments of the hotel made her a pleasure to work with.  We look forward to welcoming more Fisher College students in the future!" - Matthew Stambler, Director of Sales, Bulfinch Hotel.

"Thank you for the opportunity in having Patty fulfill her internship with us. Patty was extremely well-prepared, enthusiastic and professional. We look forward to having more Fisher students' intern with us!" - Omar Zenon, Operations Manager, Comfort Inn and Suite.

"Thank you for sending Kristina to complete her internship here at the Courtyard Marriott. She was bright, energetic, and eager to learn about the hotel business. She was constantly asking for additional duties that would give her more insight into the various departments and how they interacted. Hopefully, she will be able to use the training and immersion into a hotel environment to help her decide which field of hospitality she would like to pursue. Thanks again." - Alex Wiley, Assistant General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Liberty Station.

"Thank you for the opportunity to work with Kelsie. She was a great intern and a natural fit to the hospitality industry! If there are more like Kelsie at Fisher College, please send them my way!" - Susanna Starrett, Director of Sales, Best Western Terrace Inn.

"We have interns from all walks of life and backgrounds. It was indeed a pleasure to have Edwin Pena from your distinguished educational institute this past summer/fall. Edwin was a most genuine person and truly gave it his all here at the Lenox Hotel. His bright smile and attitude will take him far in whatever he chooses to do in life. Good interns are hard to find. Great ones such as Edwin are rare. Thanks for sending him to us and we look forward to a continued relationship." - Frank Healey, Chief Engineer, Lenox Hotel.

"Rachel was exactly what the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism was looking for in an intern: bright, personable and able to multitask with various departments of our office." - Tim Graft, International Marketing Manager, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.

"Biljana has been an intern at the Inn at St.Botolph for the last several weeks, working and learning under my direct supervision. Over that time, Biljana has continuously impressed me with her professionalism, work ethic, willingness to learn and her positive attitude towards any task that she is handed. Biljana is prompt, polite and well mannered in every way. She encompasses the true spirit of hospitality, and treats guests and her fellow co workers with the utmost respect."- Thomas DeSisto, Hotel Manager, Inn at St.Botolph

"Junior is one of many talented interns we have working at the hotel this summer, and he has successfully completed his internship experience and achieved his goal of becoming a supervisor. We are impressed with Junior's ability to work well in this team environment, his pleasant character, and aspirations to learn and grow. He has also been vital to our daily room inspection process. Junior is a senior at Fisher College studying Hospitality Management. We are very excited for Junior to step into this role and become a full time member of the team. We are thrilled to have you on board!" - Brian D. Lodermeier, Director of Rooms, The Liberty Hotel.

"The Tourism Cares team is grateful to Professor Richard W. Metzger, CTC at Fisher College for having arranged Dorota as our summer intern. We all found her to be intelligent, self-sufficient, organized, eager to help, and very pleasant, poised, and professional at all times. She never hesitated to go the extra mile whenever the need arose. Dorota took full advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as possible about various aspects of how a non-profit organization supported by the travel, tourism, and hospitality works, including scholarships and grants." - Carolyn Viles, Program Director, Tourism Cares.

"Giselle's performance during her internship at The Inn at St. Botolph was nothing short of exemplary.  My entire staff was dazzled by her enthusiasm, professionalism, intelligence and ability.  Her interpersonal and problem solving skills are a perfect match for the hospitality industry, and her delightful personality made her a favorite of every employee and guest she encountered. Giselle surpassed our every expectation, and though she came to us with an already impressive understanding of hotel management, she still managed to absorb and apply new knowledge at an incredible speed. I hope that Giselle will consider joining our team permanently when she finishes school, and I hope that Fisher College will continue to train interns of such a high caliber. They are always welcome at The Inn at St. Botolph." - Michael Farrar, Assistant Manager, Inn at St. Botolph.

What can you do with a Hospitality & Tourism degree?

Successful degree candidates are qualified to work for:

• Hotels
• Airlines
• Travel Agencies
• Cruise Lines
• Meeting Planning Organizations
• Government Tourist Offices
• Car Rental Agencies
• Motor Coach Companies

Employment opportunities in Hospitality and Tourism are expected to grow according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. As more people travel for business and leisure, trained professionals will be needed to secure their travel arrangements and to provide services in the accommodation sector. The World Travel and Tourism Council (opens in new window) expects the Tourism industry to grow at a level of 4.3% over the next ten years, indicating strong long-term growth. According to a survey conducted in 2005, the World Travel and Tourism Council stated 6.5 million new jobs were created for a total of 221.6 million jobs dependent on Travel and Tourism, which represents 8.3% of total worldwide employment. The WTO reports that the Americas can expect to see 282 million travelers per year by 2020.

Strong growth of domestic and international tourism will result in a continued need for well-trained individuals. Hard-working and energetic employees are sought after in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. It is not unusual for students to start out in a supporting role and to receive promotions within the first year of employment. Many Fisher students have earned their place as managers of various properties and companies. While starting salaries will vary, the reported median salary for managers in the hospitality industry ranges from a low of $37,660 to $72,160. (Occupational Outlook Handbook)

Citations (for career information)

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, lodging managers

World Tourism Organization

World Travel and Tourism Council

Junior Mendoza '10 poses inside the Lobby area of the stunning and vibrant Liberty Hotel.

Fisher students find satisfying careers after graduating.

Junior Mendoza is the picture of perseverance and determination. When it came time for this Hospitality and Tourism Management major to complete his internship, he followed a lead provided to him by Program Director Richard Metzger and landed an unpaid, 40-hour per week position in the housekeeping department of the Liberty Hotel.

After completing his summer term, Junior was offered a full-time position at the 4 diamond hotel as a Housekeeping Supervisor. Junior now works second shift while completing his senior year of college. While at work he manages a staff as large as 26, ensuring superb customer service. Junior is so grateful for his opportunity but Director of Rooms, Brian Lodermeier, says he is the lucky one to have Junior on board!

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Rachel Stout '06 got her dream job with Jet Blue Airways and Jose Soto '05, a sales manager with the Ritz Hotel chain, was recently transferred from Boston to Colorado to participate in the organization and opening of their new hotel in Denver.

Fisher is proud that many of our Hospitality and Tourism graduates and current students are working out in the field.

The following is a list of some locations where Fisher College students have been hired.

The Ames Hotel
The Inn at St. Botolph
The Lenox Hotel
The Liberty Hotel
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel
The Omni Parker House
The Ritz-Carlton
The W Hotel
Tourism Cares