Multidisciplinary tourism studies in Finland—Can a minor subject steer career development?

Abstract

This paper addresses the aspirations of graduates of the Finnish University Network for Tourism Studies (FUNTS) in their search for employment within the tourism industry and their actual employment rate in the field. FUNTS offers courses in multidisciplinary tourism studies that can either be included in the degree as a minor subject or integrated into a student's major subject. One of the objectives of the programme is that the students will be able to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies to professional duties and responsibilities within the tourism industry at a later stage. According to the results, the motivation level among the students towards the studies is high and many times their aim is to become employed in the tourism industry. A significant proportion of the FUNTS students are working in the industry and as graduate's progress in their careers, their responsibilities also reflect their education level. However, in relation to the actual employment rate in the tourism industry, the expectations for tourism studies as a minor subject exceed the actual employment opportunities.