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Building a Career in One of O.C.’s Biggest Industries.

The Los Angeles/Orange County region’s retail/hospitality/tourism sector is the largest in the state, accounting for one-third of the region’s businesses and jobs. It is no surprise that this sector employs more people than any other sector in Orange County. A degree or certificate from your local community college can catapult you into your new career.

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Careers in Retail / Hospitality / Tourism

Orange County offers countless opportunities in the high-energy retail/hospitality/tourism industry.

Food Service & Drinking Establishments | Accommodation | Activities/Amusement | Transportation | Fashion Design | Fashion Merchandising | Sales & Marketing | Travel & Tourism Services

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Skills Gained

Get the critical knowledge and tools to succeed in a retail/hospitality/tourism career.

Critical Thinking | Cultural Sensitivity | Situational Awareness | Teamwork | Creativity | Problem Solving | Communication | Customer Service | Work Ethic | Listening

Sara
(people person)
Sara
(people person)

Made a career
serving up success.
Trained as a Food
Service Manager.

Advanced her career
and
salary.

Advanced her career
and
salary.

Be like Sara. Apply to become a Food Service Manager and serve up a career you can be proud of.
Malik
(grill master)
Malik
(grill master)

Loved cooking for
friends. Earned a degree
in Culinary Arts.

Cooked up
a career
he loves.

Cooked up
a career
he loves.

Be like Malik. Apply to a Culinary Arts program and cook up a career that’s fire!
Emilio
(globetrotter)
Emilio
(globetrotter)

Loves seeing the world.
Studied
Hospitality
Management.

Booked a career
with
great
benefits.

Booked a career
with
great
benefits.

Be like Emilio. Apply to a Hospitality Management program that will open up doors to a worldly career.

Earning Potential for Careers in Retail, Hospitality, & Tourism

Your Career Education in retail/hospitality/tourism opens doors to bigger opportunities, higher salaries, and more! 

  • Chefs and Head Cooks: $30,975-$71,823
  • Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers: $33,098-$85,140
  • Fashion Designers: $55,586-$105,679
  • First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers: $28,899-$48,109
  • First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers: $30,629-$52,396
  • Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners: $40,907-$69,071
  • Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks: $27,644-$52,013
  • Travel Agents: $31,181-$57,687

I started taking classes. We have the Fashion Collections class. We have a huge fashion runway. It was pretty amazing. 

Mario
Fullerton College student

Retail, Hospitality & Tourism Facts

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Tourism is an economic driver for Orange County.  The industry supports more than 83,000 jobs and generates $590 million in state and local tax revenues.

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According to the World Atlas, Orange County is the 4th most visited place in the United States, and the most visited in California; the county attracted 50 million visitors in 2019.

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The retail industry in California employs nearly one-fifth of the California workforce, bringing in more than $571 billion in sales every year.

Orange County Community Colleges

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