Working for established names in the hospitality industry, hotel CEOs earn sizable salaries, bonuses and compensation packages to expertly steer the helm and fortune of a major hotel company or corporate group. Hotel CEOs are the top leaders and public faces of the company and are ultimately responsible for the successful and profitable management and running of it. While hotel CEOs wield enormous power within the company, their decisions are often made in conjunction with the board of directors, who effectively and collectively serve as the CEO’s boss. It takes many years to gain the requisite experience and skills to become a hotel CEO.

Attend high school and try to take as many classes in math, economics and business as you can. Graduate from high school with as high of a grade point average as you can manage; the better your grade point average, the better your options for universities will be.

Apply to one or more universities by submitting completed application forms, application fees and any other required materials, such as reference letters or a personal essay. Ask your high school to send official transcripts to each of the universities. Once you have been notified of the universities’ decisions, formally accept admission to the university you like best.

Attend the university and major in an applicable field such as business administration or hospitality management. Graduate with a bachelor’s degree with as high of a grade point average as you can manage. Keep in mind that some graduate programs require a 3.0 grade point average for admission while others require a 3.5.

Apply for and complete an internship, either through your school or on your own, preferably at a hotel.

Choose a relevant field for graduate study, such as business administration or hospitality management. Apply to one or more graduate programs by submitting a completed application form, application fee, official transcript and any other required materials, such as admission test scores, and reference letters or essays. Once you have been notified of the universities’ decisions, formally accept admission to the graduate program you like best.

Attend the graduate program and graduate with a master’s degree with as high of a grade point average as you can manage.

Apply for a job as a low-level or mid-level manager in a hospitality company, but make your ambitions known in a positive way. Work your way up to a top-level business manager position in a hospitality company and position yourself as the next logical choice for CEO.