4 great hospitality jobs (and how to get them)

Every day, there are people who travel the seven seas, eat gourmet food and sing and dance for a living.

Are they famous? No. Are they rich? Nope. They just happen to be working in the hospitality industry.

So how do you become one of those people? Start by checking out our list of the hottest hospitality jobs out there.

I want to be a: Concierge

As a concierge, you'll be working in some of the world's finest hotels, resorts and cruise ships, providing high-class customer service to your guests. You never know who you might be helping - it could be a local politician one day and a famous actress the next.

You'll assist your guests with everything from restaurant reservations to travel arrangements. In some hotels, concierges even buy clothing or toiletries for guests. You've got to be able to think fast in order to fulfill your guest's wishes - no matter how crazy they might be. Longtime concierge Esteban Rey says a guest once asked to fill a bathtub full of goat's milk. Another concierge had to track down a rather large 1800s-era ball gown with matching tiara and white gloves for a male guest who was attending a drag ball. This job is not for the faint of heart.

You've got to be very knowledgeable about the attractions, restaurants and transportation near your hotel or resort location. You’ll also give guests advice on where to eat and what to do during their stay.

Here's how to do it: Start off by getting an entry-level front desk job at a hotel company like Marriott International. This will help you to learn about the inner workings of hotels and train you in customer service, which is vital. After you've excelled at a front desk position, consider asking to train under the concierge at your hotel. You may also want to take online classes in hospitality management to help further your career.

I want to be an: Executive Chef

You'll be exposed to some of the finest foods in the world if you get a hospitality job as an executive chef. Not only will foie gras, truffles and caviar will become everyday ingredients, but you'll be cooking in some of the most interesting and exotic places in the world. You might end up at a famous Las Vegas casino or at a resort in the Bahamas.

As an executive chef, you'll be responsible for planning menus, ordering food, cooking meals and managing staff. You'll likely end up working long days and nights, but if you have a passion for cooking there's no better job for you.

Here's how to do it: You can begin your career in one of two ways: by going to culinary school or by getting an entry-level restaurant job in a restaurant near you. Either way, you'll need lots and lots of practice in a restaurant kitchen. After you've worked your way up the ranks to chef, you'll need to learn how to run a restaurant before you can score an executive chef position. Train with the executive chef at your restaurant or take online classes in hospitality management.

I want to be a: Cruise Ship Director

While it won't be exactly like working on the Love Boat, it will be pretty close. You'll get to visit exotic locations and get to meet all sorts of interesting people from around the world. Cruise directors welcome people aboard and make public announcements in addition to helping guests with any problems they might have. You'll get to schedule the guest activities for each day and manage the entertainment for the cruise. It's a fun job with some serious responsibilities - cruise directors also need to have knowledge of all the ship's safety features and be able to handle any emergencies that might arise.

Here's how to do it: Try getting an entry-level resort or hotel job. This will help you fine-tune the customer service skills you will need as a cruise director. After that, get a job on a cruise ship - a good number of cruise directors got their start working as waiters, waitresses or entertainers. Work your way up, and before you know it, you'll be the one telling guests, "Welcome aboard."

I want to be an: Entertainer

If you dream of being on TV or dancing across a stage for a living, you're not alone. Plenty of people want to be professional entertainers, but what many of them don't know is that you can get valuable acting, dancing and singing experience in the hospitality industry. Many hospitality jobs on cruise ships, at amusement parks and at resorts are in the entertainment field.

If you make it big, you won't be the first famous actor or actress to your start in the hospitality industry. In fact, actors Taye Diggs and Blair Underwood both began their acting careers at the Busch Gardens amusement park.

Here's how to do it: Amusement park jobs at places like Universal Orlando are a great place to get your first job. Audition for an entertainer position and work your way up to lead performer. Also consider working on a cruise ship or at a resort that needs actors, singers and dancers. After that, with a little luck you can work your way up to Hollywood or Broadway. Who knows? You might even be discovered while at work!