Gen Z wants AI-proof jobs. The president of a 50-property hotel chain says hospitality is hiding in plain sight

As leaders like Elon Musk predict that work will be optional in a few years, more workers may soon find themselves lounging at the resorts of their choosing. But in the meantime, as the class of 2026 transitions from students to the newest members of the workforce, the hunt is on to find AI-proof career paths.

One area likely to thrive regardless of the outcome: hospitality.

And according to Kurt Alexander, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts—which operates over 50 properties across North America—landing a job in the field may be more accessible than it seems. The catch? You have to bring the right attitude.

“We can teach you the hospitality business,” he told Fortune. “But do you have an attitude and a willingness to serve people? Because that’s the business we’re in, and it’s hard work, and it’s not sexy in many respects, but it’s good work and there’s a lot of dignity in it.”

Attitude-first hiring is a philosophy echoed by business leaders, from billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, both of whom have emphasized that culture fit and willingness to learn can often outweigh other weaknesses. Alexander said that the same mindset has shaped how he evaluates talent inside hospitality, where technical skills can be taught but service orientation cannot.

But it’s also a philosophy he arrived at through his own unconventional path to the top of the hotel industry. 

Growing up, he dreamed of becoming an NBA player. But after realizing elite basketball wasn’t in the cards, he pivoted toward finance—earning an economics degree from Duke University and a master’s in accounting from the University of Virginia.

He started his career as an auditor at Ernst & Young, where he worked with major clients including Delta........

© Fortune