Sadie Mouledoux always found Lafayette to be a СAPPhome away from homeСAPP because her brother lived in town. She found that feeling on the UL Lafayette campus, too.
СAPPThe red brick buildings and big green oak trees make me feel like IСAPPm back home in rural Hammond,СAPP she said.
The СAPP also catered to SadieСAPPs educational preferences.
СAPPIt wasnСAPPt just the appearance that won me over. It was the class size and teacher-to-student ratio,СAPP she explained. СAPPI graduated from a very small private school called the Brighton School, where I was 1 of 7 kids in my graduating class, so class sizes were a big deal when looking into universities around Louisiana.СAPP
Smaller class sizes were a benefit for Sadie, especially as a hospitality management major.
СAPPWe learned about the ins and outs of hotel operations,СAPP she said about HMGT 371: Lodging Management I.
СAPPWe also took hotel tours to see the front-of-house and back-of-house operations, which was another great chance to learn about job and internship opportunities these businesses where offering.СAPP
Professional Certifications in the Industry
Earning a major in hospitality management requires Sadie to earn important certifications for the hospitality industry, including the CHIA (Certified in Hotel Industry Analytics) and ServSafe certifications.
СAPPThe knowledge I gained from my ServSafe certification or my CHIA certification can be used throughout the hospitality industry,СAPP she explained. СAPPThe professors help us through these tough courses that many industry professionals have to learn on their own, post-graduation.
СAPPUL Lafayette hospitality graduates are entering the workforce with the knowledge and certifications many businesses now require you to have,СAPP she said. СAPPOn top of that, the fact that we have been using and implementing these certifications throughout our college career further sharpens our skills and knowledge.СAPP

Preparing for a Career in Hospitality
Learning about hotel operations is important for SadieСAPPs current and future career. She is currently a guest service agent for a local hotel, and she has big plans for the future.

СAPPI have decided to go through a management-in-training program through my current employer, Drury Hotels,СAPP she said. СAPPIt is an 18-month training course where I will learn every aspect of running a hotel property including back-office operations, housekeeping, and maintenance.
СAPPMy current career goal is to become a quality assurance auditor to help Drury maintain their high-quality brand standards,СAPP she said.
Ultimately, these steps will teach her enough to open her own СAPPboutique hotel on an island in the Mediterranean Sea.СAPP