Case studies

I love cooking, especially for family and friends. I’d like to work in the hotel industry one day, like my dad. The Higher Diploma in Hospitality will help me explore what kind of role I could have, and I’ll also gain a qualification.

What will I learn?

I'm doing two work experience placements. One is in catering for a fast food place and the second is at a hotel in my town. It's got a health club too and I'll get to help with customers.

There are seven areas of Principal Learning on my Diploma course. This is the part where we learn all about our chosen industry. Things like what businesses make up the UK hospitality industry, and how they provide products and services.

As part of my Additional and Specialist Learning, I'm taking a Level 2 certificate in Employability, a Level 2 award in Practical Food Safety in Catering and a Level 2 award in an Introduction to Business Improvement.

What am I looking forward to?

My older sister is pregnant and I can't believe how many foods she can't eat because of it. I want to do my project on what makes a healthy diet for pregnant women. I want to see how well local food outlets meet their needs and I'm going to present what I find to the Society, Health and Development Diploma group.

What will I do afterwards?

Following in my father's footsteps, I'll probably apply for a Level 3 Apprenticeship in the Hospitality sector. I want to focus on reception and front office work, to see how it all functions for myself.

This case study is an illustration of how and why a student might decide to do a Diploma; it does not refer to a real individual. To talk through your own specific study or career goals, you can seek further advice and check local availability with your teacher or Connexions Adviser.

Bournemouth has loads of hospitality opportunities; it’s a tourist area with a large local population too. I did alright in my GCSEs, which has made me want to continue studying. I’m doing the Advanced Diploma in Hospitality.

I was thinking of having my own business here, so I’ll be on the right path. I think the Diploma’s going to teach me how a successful hospitality business runs. I’m also taking A Level Business as part of my Diploma course.

What will I learn?

For my Principal Learning I'll be looking at ten different areas, including managing people and food operations. I'll also learn about sales and marketing in the industry. Looking at how they all fit together to make a great business will be the best bit.

I'm going to do hotel work placements as part of my course. The first will be in a busy hotel kitchen. I'll also act as junior relief manager at the same hotel. Then I'm going to spend ten days in the head office of a hotel chain, dealing with comments and complaints.

What am I looking forward to?

For my project I'm going to research a business idea. My investigation will look at the quality of the conference services offered across Bournemouth. I'll interview businesses and their clients to see what they expect then weigh it up against what facilities are on offer. I'm going to put my findings into a presentation that gives recommendations to local businesses on how to improve their services.

What will I do afterwards?

A lot of my course is going to be about the hospitality industry and business. What I'd like to do is start working with the skills I'll have at the end of my Diploma. I might enroll on a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Hospitality and Catering and progress from there.

This case study is an illustration of how and why a student might decide to do a Diploma; it does not refer to a real individual. To talk through your own specific study or career goals, you can seek further advice and check local availability with your teacher or Connexions Adviser.

Living in Blackpool, I’m around hospitality and tourism businesses all the time. I get a real buzz off the area and I’d like to work in the industry one day.

I’m doing the Foundation Diploma in Hospitality because I get to study what I’m most interested in. I have ADHD and this kind of learning will be a lot better for me.

What will I learn?

For the Principal Learning part of the course, we'll look at five main areas – the whole industry, the people who work in it and how it operates. I have also chosen to do GCSE Design and Technology (Food) for my Additional and Specialist Learning, as it includes Food Technology, which I know I'll enjoy.

I will still do subjects like English, maths and science, which is good because I won't miss anything. I'm also doing GCSE PE.

For work experience, I'm staying at the café I work in every weekend. I'm going to try different aspects of the job, though, like serving and dealing with customers. Normally I just prepare the food.

What am I looking forward to?

For my project, and to go with my GCSE in PE, I will look into the kinds of food athletes like Chris Hoy eat to build strength and stamina. I want to plan a week's meals for a long distance cyclist and serve one to the PE teachers. Whilst they eat, I'll show them a presentation about what they are eating and why I chose that meal.

What will I do afterwards?

I want to work in the hospitality business, I know that. I think I'll try and get a job with training in one of the nearby hotels. There are a few big hotels around so it shouldn't be too hard to get started, especially with my Diploma qualification.

This case study is an illustration of how and why a student might decide to do a Diploma; it does not refer to a real individual. To talk through your own specific study or career goals, you can seek further advice and check local availability with your teacher or Connexions Adviser.