Still Seeking a Career--What about Working in Hotels? (unemployed, degree, jobs)

[VM1138]

I've posted on these forums before about seeking various careers, but every one has been a dead end for one reason or another. Basically, I'm over-educated (Masters degree) but for years now haven't found anything that pays more than $11 an hour. I'm a delivery driver right now because the company I worked for folded and I didn't want to wind up unemployed. I live in a pretty stagnant area (unless you're an engineer) where the obvious opportunities are customer service and sales. I have lots of experience in retail and hated it with a passion.

Unfortunately most of my working experience is in retail and I'm finding it nearly impossible to learn any new skill that could lead to any realistic job option. I have a baby and a wife and work full time, and because of my work schedule I can't really volunteer anywhere and network in person, so the professional grade careers are sort of a no-go for me, no matter how bad I want them.

So I'm wondering if working in the hotel industry is quite as terrible as retail? And if I get in as a front desk clerk or something, is there a career ladder I can realistically climb? I'm 30 and I'm tired of dead-end jobs. About the only dream I have left is thinking it might be cool to run a beach resort when I'm near retirement age.

Am I romanticizing it? Is hotel work as terrible as retail?

[froglipz]

Give it a try, what have you got to lose?

[Raena77]

Start low at the hotel job then look for job opportunities in advancement. You can find many things out by looking up the company itself. Who owns it? Companys affiliations? Jobs offered on the site. They usually ask you questions about the company anyway during the job interview.