Abstract
This exploratory study examined students’ perceptions of importance with reference to contributory factors of their career choice in hospitality and tourism department of a polytechnic college in Guangzhou City, China. The study result was derived from a survey of 372 freshmen and sophomore students. The questionnaire comprised items relating to factors influencing students when they made their career decision. Descriptive statistics, T-test, and factor analysis were conducted using SPSS 17.0. It is found that more students made their own career choice with little influence exerted by their family members. It was also indicated that generally there was no statistically significant difference between male and female students; however, a difference between freshmen and sophomore respondents was found for a few items. Additionally, this study identified five underlying contributory factors. “Students self-efficacy and occupational aspiration” was the most important factor to influence the students’ career decision, followed by “tradition and cultural value”, “career guidance”, “support from parents”, and “external consultation”. Finally, discussion of the findings was presented and possible suggestions were given for both hospitality educators and practitioners.
Highlights
China has experienced vigorous economic expansion and prosperity for more than four decades
Drawing on theoretical frameworks described above and related studies conducted by Borchert (2002), Bui (2005), Chuang & Dellmann-Jenkins (2010), Tay (1996), Wong and Liu (2010), and Zahari (2004), along with the researchers’ own observations and interactions with the students, we identified a list of thirty-four items to describe the factors influencing students’ career choice
Prior to undertaking further analysis of the data, statistical reliability scores were computed for the scale
Summary
China has experienced vigorous economic expansion and prosperity for more than four decades. As one of the most important industry in China, has enjoyed tremendous growth and maintained a sound momentum of steady development. The fast growing tourism market has galvanized hotel development (OKOROAFO; KOH; LIU; JIN, 2010). Due to its close proximity to Hong Kong, and with a population of more than 17 million people, has spearheaded China's economy since the 1980s. This city has always remained a magnet for hotel companies. Serving as the host of Asian games further stimulated the expansion of hotel industry development. Growth opportunities for the hotel industry have given rise to numerous issues, the most critical of which is the shortage of human resources in hotel workforce
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