Chapter 1 Th e World of Hospitality 17
Career and Technical Student
Organizations
Students can become involved with profes-
sional development through career and techni-
cal student organizations. A career and technical
student organization (CTSO) is an organization
for students with an interest in a career area, such
as hospitality or business. The purpose of a CTSO
is to give students the opportunity to develop
interpersonal, leadership, career, and technical
skills. Most CTSOs work closely with profession-
als in industry and give students an opportunity
to meet them. Many CTSOs provide scholarships.
Some of these scholarships are sponsored by ma-
jor businesses in the industry.
A CTSO will usually have a school chapter for
students to join. Students then participate in chapter
meetings as well as civic, service, social, and fund-
raising activities, 1-15. In addition, many CTSOs have
competitive events that enable students to demon-
strate their career and technical skills. Participating
in competitive events at the local, state, and national
levels is a motivating experience for students.
Two CTSOs for students interested in hospi-
tality are Family, Career and Community Lead-
ers of America (FCCLA) and SkillsUSA. Both
organizations have a culinary arts competitive
event. The Future Business Leaders of America
(FBLA) and DECA—An Association of Marketing
Students are two CTSOs that focus on the business
and marketing aspects of hospitality. There are
also CTSOs for many other career areas.
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1-15
Working with group members on CTSO
projects can help you build leadership skills.
Going Green
Sustainability
You may have heard the term sustainability used in
connection with environmental issues. However, sustainability
refers to more than the environment. It also means not having a
negative social or economic effect. Something that is sustainable
does not deplete the environmental resources of future generations,
negatively affect their communities, or cause economic loss.