What kind of courses will I need in college...?

Question

Here's my dream: I want to run a cattle and horse ranch full time, and to provide a sort of retreat center for rodeo stars and fans (or anyone, really) to see and experience first hand what ranch life was like in the old west, learn the history of the rodeo, and to try their hand in real-life applications of rodeo events. I would also have various rodeo clinics and camps available. So what college courses would help me with this?

Answer 1

Obviously you would have to know how to run a ranch, but running a ranch is not the same as running a guest house or resort.
You need to get training in how to handle accounting, bookkeeping, sanitation and health and insurance issues, legal issues (ranches are dangerous).

So you need to go to a university that teaches Hospitality Management - in that major you will take courses in hotel accounting, business law, sanitation (and even food preparation) beverage management (people like to drink when they're on vacation)....

I think there are quite a few schools that offer this kind of training. One I know of is Johnson & Wales university - they have a campus in Denver, I think. Check it out.

Answer 2

I like Matt's answer. It is quite good. What you are really describing is a sort of theme park.

You will need to know who knows what. This cannot be a one person operation. An endeavor of this magnitude will require enough help to staff any theme park. So sharpen your people skills, and get all the business management courses you can find. I would suggest you use electives to get some ranching experience as well. Try a Major in Hospitality with a Minor in Ranching. Throw in some background on animals and you should be set.

You are looking at a very broad based endeavor. I doubt you will get enough in college in four years to do what you want. You will probably need an extra year or two to feel comfortable.

I wish you the best of luck. It sounds like you are well on your way.

One suggestion, don't worry about the money. You are going to do something you love. Because you love it no one will be any better than you. The money will come because you are the BEST...