Career Goals and Expectations of Hospitality and Tourism Students in China

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to better understand what undergraduate students in hospitality and tourism management (HTM) in China expected from their future career. Different types of career goals and expectations were examined. A sample of 503 undergraduate students from HTM programs at four different universities in China was surveyed. Results showed that a majority of the undergraduate students were interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality and tourism industry and expressed a desire for an advanced degree. Students reported a variety of topics learned during their HTM studies that proved valuable for their future careers. The topics most reported were management, marketing, economics, tourism psychology, introduction to tourism, industrial practices, English, service attitude, and communication. No interest in the hospitality and tourism industry was cited by the students as the major reason they did not want to enter the industry. Opportunities for personal development and high salaries were found to be the most important goals for students to pursue after graduation. Implications for hospitality and tourism educators and industry employers are discussed.