Program Advisor Spotlight: Jeremy McCarthy, Spa and Wellness Management

Jeremy McCarthy, Group Director of Spa, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Why should an individual consider a career in the spa and wellness industry?

Right now is an amazing time to enter the industry because there is a massive demand for good talent and people joining the industry today will have a lot of growth and opportunities ahead of them. I think the most important reason to consider a career in this industry is because of the people-oriented skills you can learn around customer service, complaint handling, emotional intelligence, etc. These skills are increasingly hard to come by in the age of technology and yet they are more in demand than ever before.

What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of working in this field?

When I first joined the spa industry, what appealed to me was the ability to learn how to take good care of people and how to make people feel good. I knew that if I could learn that skill, that it would be invaluable, and I could apply it in any work that I chose to do in the future.

Describe a day in the life of a spa professional.

People often think that because of the tranquil environment in a spa that working in one must be very soothing and relaxing. Actually, those who work in a spa are working furiously behind the scenes to absorb all of the stress of everyone who comes in the door so that the customers can experience that peace and tranquility.

The spa is a complex operation with a lot of moving parts and the professionals behind the scenes are running around to make sure that everyone is where they need to be at the right moment and checking in to make sure their guests are feeling as good as they possibly can.

How do you feel the UCI Spa and Wellness Management certificate can benefit those seeking to enter or advance a career in this industry?

The courses in the Spa and Wellness Management program are taught by seasoned professionals who have a lot of wisdom and experience in our industry. The ability to learn from people who have already achieved success and who can share the lessons they have learned along the way is invaluable.

Learn more about the Spa and Wellness Management Certificate Program.