UWW featured in Boston Globe supplement on hospitality and tourism management

UMass UWW was featured in a January 8  Boston Globe supplement article on hospitality and tourism management degrees and certificate programs. At UMass UWW, students can design their own program of study in hospitality and tourism management taking classes through the UMass Isenberg School of Management. Here is an excerpt from the article, entitled, Learning the Tourist Trade. Many career paths into a thriving industry. 

"For the past few years, it has been tough to scrape up good news about the U.S. economy, but tourism is an exception. A 2010 report by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) stated that even 'with stubbornly high unemployment and weak job growth, travel and tourism has proven itself to be one of the most efficient job-creating industries.' "

"With a dazzling diversity of jobs and careers in the offing, the field is attracting students of all ages who seek to hone their skills for new venues, finish up languishing degrees, and change careers, educators say. People can choose from a broad spectrum of degree and certificate programs to meet their goals. 'With the downturn in the economy, a lot of people are returning to school through our program, which allows people to complete their first bachelor's degree,' says Melanie DeSilva, Marketing and Recruitment Manager at University Without Walls (UWW) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst."

"DeSilva says that UWW is popular with students who need flexibility to continue working or managing other responsibilities, because they can take courses online, blend online and online courses, or design their own course of study- such as a streamlined track to a bachelors..." with a focus in hospitality and tourism management.

"'And UWW is the only program in the UMass system to offer credit for lift and work experience,' she adds. 'So, someone who has been in the industry for years has a chance to have their experience respected.'"