Is it worth carrying on with a career in hospitality?

The expert panel
Our expert panel comprises representatives from the Hotel and Catering Training Company (HCTC), Accor Hotels UK & Ireland, Greene King Pub Company, Simply Chefs by Hocaps, Bartlett Mitchell, Learnpurple, Conran and Portfolio International.

The question
I am a second-year student studying for a degree in tourism and hospitality management. I have failed two exams and am deeply in debt. Do I call it quits now or struggle on? I already have experience in the hotel sector and am 21 years old.

The Answers
The wonderful thing about this industry is that experience and hard work count for a lot. However, qualifications can help fast-track progress within the industry, especially in the early years.

In the future, at interview, you are going to be asked questions such as: "What is the biggest challenge you have overcome?" I would encourage you to dig very deep, find your nerve and turn around the problem by passing your exams, and then choose an appropriate management development programme - and, in time, you will get rid of your debts.

A year-and-a-half is not a long time, and later in your career you will benefit from the qualifications.
Lesley Reynolds, chief executive, Portfolio International

You need to think seriously about why you failed those exams if you're confident you could pass resits. Was your heart not in it first time around? Were you distracted by outside interests? Did you find the style of learning difficult?

If you're convinced you want to pursue a tourism and hospitality career, you might consider moving to an Apprenticeship. This is not a soft option - you will need to apply yourself and work hard to succeed. But the advantage is that, instead of accumulating further debt, you would earn while you learn. And rather than learning the theory of hotel management in a classroom, you would learn through applying that theory in your workplace.

If you would like to know more about Apprenticeships, visit www.lsc.gov.uk or www.hctc.co.uk.
Johnny Johnson, communications manager, HCTC

Each week our expert panel will answer your career questions. If you'd like to submit a question, send it to chris.druce@rbi.co.uk.