Understanding the Initial Career Decisions of Hospitality Graduates in Hong Kong

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the initial career decisions of graduates from a hospitality and tourism management (HTM) program in Hong Kong. In Study 1, we used longitudinal data from graduate exit surveys undertaken between 2002 and 2010 to explore the nature of their initial career choices and how the program had influenced them. We found that more than half the graduates’ first jobs were in HTM and that hospitality electives and industry-specific programs (such as an executive-in-residence program and distinguished speaker series) contributed to their choice of such employment. Compared with jobs in other sectors, HTM jobs pay significantly less. In Study 2, we interviewed industry executives and alumni to supplement the findings of Study 1. Recommendations are provided for designing better HTM programs that will inspire more students to join the industry on graduation.