WORK EXPERIENCE: spa & leisure
LEARN ABOUT CAREERS IN WELLNESS & LEISURE
Along with core hospitality services, many hotels also provide leisure facilities such as a spa, leisure centre or golf club. These offer great opportunities for those who would prefer a more active career, whether that’s as a Spa or Beauty Therapist, a Lifeguard or Leisure Centre Manager, or a Golf Pro, Greenskeeper, or Golf Club Manager.
What are the opportunities for progression?
There are a wide range of spa and beauty courses across Ireland which will help you learn the skills you need to get started in a spa and many properties will allow you to combine part-time work with study as you gain more qualifications. From an entry level position you can work your way up through the organisation to Supervisor and then Spa Manager who reports to the hotel’s General Manager.
Roles in leisure centres are diverse and depend on the size of the hotel and facilities available. These could include Lifeguards, Fitness Instructors, and Leisure Club Supervisors and Managers. Again, there are numerous courses available should you pursue a career in leisure and these can prepare you for a career in hotels or help you work towards setting up your own leisure business one day.
Golf is an important part of Ireland’s tourism offering and a number of top Irish resorts include a golf course and club. There are plenty of roles within the club, ranging from the food and beverage team who run the clubhouse and the retail team who manage the shop, to the Golf Pros who provide lessons and the Greenskeepers who keep the golf course in shape. The Golf Club Manager or Director of Golf is responsible for the smooth running of this important department and reports to the hotel’s General Manager. This is an exciting choice for anyone who is passionate about golf and would like to pursue it as a career.
What can you expect during your work experience?
Your work experience will vary depending on the department you choose. Future spa therapists and wellness enthusiasts can learn about therapies and techniques, products and brands, and how to schedule appointments and arrange treatment rooms during their time working in a hotel spa.
In leisure centres and golf clubs, you will learn what’s involved in the day-to-day of these busy operations, from managing the pool, gym, club house, and golf course to health and safety, training, and administration.
If a career in a spa or leisure facility is your forte then take a look at the list of hotels in your area to see if any can offer you the relevant experience. You will find the list of hotels participating in the Transition Year Work Experience Programme here.
What’s it like working in a spa?
Andrea Donoghue shares her story here.