A Career That Is Global, Dynamic and People-Focused
Now you have your Matric results, what next?
When considering their future, many South African matriculants might wonder why Matrics should choose hospitality or culinary arts as a career path. Choosing a career path can feel overwhelming. Traditional options like accounting, law or engineering are often promoted as the “safe” choices — yet one of the fastest-growing, most global and people-driven industries in the world is hospitality.
Hospitality and culinary arts offer far more than jobs in hotels or kitchens. They provide international careers, entrepreneurial opportunities, rapid advancement and the chance to work anywhere in the world. For matric students who enjoy people, creativity, leadership and real-world learning, hospitality may be one of the smartest career decisions they can make.
The Hospitality Industry: Bigger Than You Think
Hospitality is one of the largest employers globally, spanning hotels, resorts, restaurants, cruise lines, airlines, event management, luxury tourism, food production and entrepreneurship.
Graduates in hospitality and culinary arts can build careers as:
- Hotel and resort managers
- Restaurant owners and executive chefs
- Event and wedding planners
- Food and beverage directors
- Tourism and luxury brand managers
- Entrepreneurs and consultants
Unlike many careers that require years before progression, hospitality rewards performance, attitude and leadership early, allowing young professionals to rise quickly.
Why Hospitality Appeals to Today’s Matric Students
1. International Career Opportunities
Hospitality qualifications are globally transferable. Graduates can work in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the USA and on cruise ships — often within the first few years of qualifying.
2. Practical, Hands-On Learning
Hospitality education is not purely theoretical. Students learn through real kitchens, training hotels, internships and workplace exposure, making graduates job-ready from day one.
3. Strong Employment Prospects
The hospitality and tourism sectors continue to recover and grow post-pandemic. Skilled graduates are in demand, particularly those with formal qualifications and international exposure.
4. Creativity Meets Business
Culinary arts combine creativity with discipline and leadership, while hospitality management blends people skills, finance, operations and strategy — ideal for students who don’t want a desk-bound career.
Culinary Arts: More Than Cooking
A career in culinary arts is not just about cooking — it’s about management, innovation, sustainability and leadership.
Professional chefs today are:
- Business owners
- Product developers
- Food stylists and consultants
- Sustainability advocates
- Media personalities and educators
Formal culinary training accelerates growth, opening doors far beyond the kitchen.
Why Choosing the Right Hospitality School Matters
Not all hospitality qualifications are equal. The institution a student chooses will directly influence:
- Career opportunities
- Industry credibility
- International mobility
- Practical experience
This is where The Swiss Hotel School South Africa (SHS) stands out.
The Swiss Hotel School South Africa: A Proven Pathway to Success
Recognised as one of South Africa’s leading hospitality institutions, The Swiss Hotel School South Africa is known for academic excellence, industry relevance and graduate success.
Bachelor of Hospitality Management
This degree is designed for students who want to move into leadership, management and executive roles in hotels, resorts, tourism and luxury service industries.
Students gain skills in:
- Hotel and resort operations
- Financial management
- Marketing and sales
- Human resources and leadership
- Strategic hospitality management
Graduates are prepared not just to work in hospitality — but to lead it.
3-Year Professional Culinary Arts Programme
The Swiss Hotel School’s three-year Culinary Arts Programme is ideal for students who want to become high-level professional chefs and culinary leaders.
The programme focuses on:
- Classical and modern culinary techniques
- Kitchen management and cost control
- Food safety and sustainability
- Menu design and innovation
- Real-world industry exposure
Graduates leave with both technical mastery and management capability, giving them a competitive edge locally and internationally.
Industry Exposure and International Internships
One of the strongest advantages of studying at The Swiss Hotel School South Africa is its industry network and internship opportunities. Students gain practical workplace experience during their studies, helping them build CVs, confidence and professional networks before graduating.
This real-world exposure is often what sets SHS graduates apart in the job market.
Hospitality: A Career With Purpose and Progression
Hospitality is a career built on:
- People
- Service
- Leadership
- Growth
For matric students who want a career that is exciting, global, practical and future-focused, hospitality and culinary arts offer unmatched potential.
Choosing the right institution — such as The Swiss Hotel School South Africa — ensures students receive a qualification that is respected, relevant and designed for long-term success.
Final Thoughts for Matrics and Parents
Hospitality is no longer a “fallback” career — it is a strategic, professional and globally respected industry. With the right education, students can build meaningful, well-paid and internationally mobile careers.
For matriculants looking beyond traditional paths, hospitality and culinary arts may be the opportunity that opens the world.
How do I check my matric results online?
How to Check your matric results
how to check matric results online in South Africa
where can I find my matric results
matric results online using ID number
matric results online 2026 South Africa
when are matric results released (13th January 2026)
matric results website South Africa
Key Takeaways
- Hospitality offers a dynamic, global career path that is people-focused and rewarding.
- Graduates can work in various roles, including hotel management, event planning, and culinary arts, with opportunities for rapid advancement.
- The Swiss Hotel School South Africa provides quality education, practical experience, and international internship opportunities.
- Culinary arts involve management and innovation, preparing graduates for diverse careers beyond cooking.
- Hospitality is a respected, purposeful career option that offers strong employment prospects and personal growth.
Stephen is a hospitality professional from Johannesburg South Africa. His career started with THF hotels in the UK and subsequently with the Southern Sun Hotel group in Johannesburg. Stephen’s first steps into entrepreneurship was Hickmore Recruitment / CareerMap, a leading supplier of Senior and Exec recruitment services. Stephen was a founder of Pple Hospitality (formerly HSC) the largest Hospitality Industry full-service outsourced staffing company in South Africa. In March 2020 Stephen became a director and owner of the Swiss Hotel School South Africa, which is now his full time endeavour. Stephen writes for a number of publications on food and hospitality industry matters, trends and opinions.
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