get-IN's Career Web
Advanced Manufacturing Construction Healthcare Information Technology Hospitality, Entertainment, Amusement, Recreation, & Tourism Life Sciences Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics About Career WebWhat Is Hospitality, Entertainment, Arts, Recreation, and Tourism (HEART)?
Hospitality, Entertainment, Arts, Recreation, and Tourism (HEART), is the industry that helps us relax once in a while, get out of the house, and enjoy life. Businesses in this industry include museums, fitness centers, restaurants, sports, theatres, casinos, parks, zoos, and much, much more. Many jobs are low skill and low paying, but there are also many exciting, high demand, and high wage careers if you know the right places to look.
What Types of HEART Companies Are in Northwest Indiana?
Food Service and Drinking Places
Businesses in the food service and drinking places industry provide meals, drinks, or snack to customers either in a restaurant or bar or cater at other locations. There are many types of restaurants in this industry, offering everything from a quick fast-food snack to a full gourmet meal made-to-order. Some offer an equally wide selection of drinks on their menu and may include different types of live entertainment.
Amusements, Gambling, and Recreation
Companies in the amusement, gambling, and recreation industries either operate some form of sports, recreation, gambling, or entertainment facility like a bowling alley, or they provide services and/or equipment without running a facility. Some examples of this include a company that rents rock-climbing walls or a traveling DJ that plays at weddings and parties. This is a diverse cluster, including water parks, golf courses, casinos, and fitness centers. This cluster can provide fun and fast-paced careers where everybody you meet wants to have a good time.
Performing Arts and Spectator Sports
The performing arts and spectator sports industry is responsible for producing, organizing, and promoting live presentations. Some of the careers in this industry include actors and actresses, singers, dancers, musical groups, athletes, and freelance entertainers that manage their own careers. At the same time, there are many opportunities for people that can manage, organize, promote, and provide technical assistance. In other words, this includes the performers and the behind-the-scenes talent needed to put on a show.
Accommodations
There is a wide range of businesses in the accommodations industry. Some provide lodging only, such as a typical hotel, while others provide services that include entertainment or even a spa. These companies employ many different employees, including managers, maids, clerks, janitors, and maintenance workers.
Museums, Historical Sites, Zoos, and Parks
There are only a few museums, historical sites, zoos and similar businesses in Northwest Indiana, but there are many opportunities in the region and nearby. These businesses hire a diverse and unique group of workers, including curators, archivists, and teachers as well as tour guides, managers, and maintenance personnel.
Career Ladders
Why a Career Ladder?
A Career Ladder is a family of related jobs. You may be in one job along the Career Ladder for a few months or years. In order to move up, you will need on-the-job training and experience, formal education (in a classroom), or a combination of both.
Use the tabs above to navigate the career ladder. Each tab contains a couple of jobs that are typical for that rung on the ladder. Click on the job title to read about how much you can earn, what type of education you need, and more. Then, move on to the next tab to see what future jobs are possible with the right experience and training. Each job description has links to great websites you can use to learn more or even begin your job search today.
What is this career?
Cooks that work for institutions or cafeterias prepare and cook large quantities of food for schools, hospitals, or cafeterias at other locations. Contract food service firms are taking up a larger share of the market as schools and hospitals try to offer healthier and more attractive menus.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
High School Diploma and Moderate-Term On-The-Job Training
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $8.11/hour or $16,870/year
Median: $9.61/hour or $19,990/year
Experienced: $11.14/hour or $23,170/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Opportunities for chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers are expected to be excellent due to growth and turnover. Many schools, hospitals, and institutions that offer traditional cafeteria foods are contracting their services out to companies that cater or offer more healthy and attractive menus. Employment prospects are expected to be best with these types of companies.
Source: Based on information from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
Where can I find more information?
Where can I find a job?
What is this career?
Short Order Cooks prepare and cook food to order that requires only a short preparation time, such as hamburgers or waffles. They may cook a variety of foods and take orders from customers by serving patrons at counters or tables.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
Moderate-Term On-The-Job Training and/or Certification
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $6.67/hour or $13,8800/year
Median: $7.84/hour or $16,310/year
Experienced: $8.96/hour or $18,640/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Job opportunities for chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers are expected to be plentiful because of the continued growth and expansion of food services outlets, resulting in average employment growth, and because of the large numbers of workers who leave these occupations and need to be replaced. However, those seeking the highest-paying positions will face keen competition.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
Where can I find more information?
Where can I find a job?
What is this career?
Restaurant Managers plan, direct, or coordinate activities of the restaurant. They are also responsible for ensuring profitability.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
High School Diploma and Work Experience
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $15.25/hour or $31,730/year
Median: $18.76/hour or $39,020/year
Experienced: $24.25/hour or $50,440/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
While job growth for food service managers is expected to be slower than average, there should be plenty of job openings due to the number of people that leave the occupation.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
Where can I find more information?
Where can I find a job?
What is this career?
Fitness Specialists or Personal Trainers instruct or coach either groups of individuals in a exercise and the fundamentals of sports. They are active and engaged, demonstrating techniques and methods. Trainers should also observe clients and help them correct and improve their skills to help reach their goals.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
Certification and High School Diploma
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $7.68/hour or $15,970/year
Median: $9.08/hour or $18,890/year
Experienced: $12.28/hour or $25,540/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Jobs for fitness workers are expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations. Fitness workers should have good opportunities due to rapid job growth in health clubs, fitness facilities, and other settings where fitness workers are concentrated.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
Where can I find more information?
Where can I find a job?
What is this career?
Program Directors plan, organize, and conduct health and recreation programs as well as hire and manage staff to conduct programming. They are repsonsible for the succes of the health or recreation program.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
High School Diploma and Work Experience
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $10.68/hour or $22,210/year
Median: $13.53/hour or $28,130/year
Experienced: $17.20/hour or $35,770/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Job growth and replacements of workers that leave the occupations should both be above-average for Program Directors. As a result, there should be plenty of job prospects for people interested in entering this career.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
Where can I find more information?
Where can I find a job?
What is this career?
Chefs and Head Cooks do more than just prepare food; they are conductors and artists. They direct the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, or other foods. They may plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts. While some chefs organize and direct cooking, others participate directly.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
1- to 2-Years Certification and/or Work Experience
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $11.81/hour or $24,550/year
Median: $14.92/hour or $31,030/year
Experienced: $19.70/hour or $40,980/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Job opportunities for chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers are expected to be plentiful because of the continued growth and expansion of food services outlets, resulting in average employment growth, and because of the large numbers of workers who leave these occupations and need to be replaced. However, those seeking the highest-paying positions will face keen competition.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
Where can I find more information?
Where can I find a job?
What is this career?
Club Managers and/or Owners lead and oversee the staff, including program directors, fitness specialists, and everyone else in order to plan, organize, and implement health and fitness programs and activities. They are responsible for all business aspects including staffing, accounting, publicity, and the daily operations of the club.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
Certification and High School Diploma
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $15.25/hour or $31,730/year
Median: $18.76/hour or $39,020/year
Experienced: $24.25/hour or $50,440/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Club Managers jobs are expected to grow a little slower than average, but there are expected to be many job openings due to individuals leaving the occupation.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
Where can I find more information?
Where can I find a job?
