Siddharth Mobar, assistant professor of hospitality and event management, began incorporating industry certifications and professional designations into his undergraduate curricula around six years ago. Today, students in his courses have the opportunity to earn up to eight credentials and add them to their resumes before entering the workforce — giving them a marketable, competitive edge in launching and growing their careers.

Mobar, a certified hospitality educator, certified hotel administrator, and certified hospitality industry analytics professional, sees unparalleled value in embedding these designations into his coursework.

“These prestigious credentials are recognized worldwide and provide our students and graduates with a significant advantage in securing reputed internships and careers,” he says, noting that around 96 percent of his recent senior class secured full-time management positions before graduating.

Students do not have to wait until taking advanced courses to earn these designations, either. Mobar incorporates the Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP) certification and designation from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) into his first-year courses for hospitality majors. The CGSP designation is the highest acknowledgement of award-winning guest service for industry employees.

“It is a manner of extending self-esteem into our newest students,” he says. “They receive this first credential within their first four months at Lasell.”

For students who wish to specialize in certain areas of hospitality or event management, Mobar also offers personalized coaching and proctoring for them to earn designations that are not already part of his curriculum.

In addition to the CGSP certification, Mobar’s courses currently incorporate the following designations for students to earn. When a resume goes out to an employer or recruiter with these listed, he says, it is bound to get attention.

• Certification in Hospitality Industry Analytics (CHIA), a certification and designation offered by STR and AHLEI. The only hotel-related certification that recognizes skill and advanced knowledge in hotel industry analytics including foundational metrics, definitions, formulas, and methodologies.
  
  
• Certified Hospitality Department Trainer (CHDT), a certification and designation offered by AHLEI, in acknowledgement of professionals who take on the added responsibility of showing others how to do the job right.
  
  
• Hospitality & Tourism Specialist credential from AHLEI, which recognizes understanding of the industry and foundational skills and knowledge in lodging, food and beverage operations, event management, attractions, and tourism.
  
  
• Certificate of Completion in Revenue Management from AHLEI, which recognizes the ability to distinguish between tactical and strategic revenue management and address proper use and importance of revenue management in hospitality operations.
  
  
• Certificate & Training in Understanding Unconscious Bias in Hospitality from AHLEI, an interactive program that guides managers in their interactions with guests and fellow employees.
  
  
• Certificate & Training in Hospitality Manager – Leadership from AHLEI, which empowers managers to build a positive workplace culture, align operations with organizational goals, increase employee engagement and productivity, and use emotional intelligence to connect with staff.
  
  
• Problem-Solving Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification from goleansixsigma.com, a certification that elevates marketability and validates problem-solving knowledge using the Six Sigma methodologies and analytical and leadership skills.