The Perception and Career Intention of Hospitality Students Towards a Career in the Industry
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/jlapsu.2024.18Keywords:
Student Perception, Career Intention, Hospitality IndustryAbstract
Thailand is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. The growing tourism industry in Thailand creates a variety of job opportunities. Despite the popularity of Thailand’s tourist destinations, the country faces a human capital challenge in providing competent hospitality and tourism resources. Obtaining a comprehensive awareness of the perspectives of undergraduate students in hospitality management would significantly impact educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and policymakers in comprehending this situation. Using questionnaires, this survey-based research investigated students’ perception of their career intentions in the hotel business. The descriptive statistics were used, including mean, percentage, and standard deviations. The inferential statistics of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) indicated four factors, including Factor 1: compensation, benefit, and promotion opportunity; Factor 2: social factor; Factor 3: career path and personal development; and Factor 4: nature of work. Multiple regression was performed using the Enter Method to investigate the relationship between student perception and their intentions to pursue a career in the hotel industry. The findings revealed that social factors (β = 0.512, p < 0.001) had the strongest influence on career intention followed by compensation, benefit, and promotion opportunity (β=0.344, p<0.01), career path and personal development (β=0.293, p<0.01), and nature of work (β = 0.135, p = 0.15) to an intention to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. The model was explained by 59% of the variance in career intention (R² = 0.589). The study’s recommendations include prioritizing practical training over traditional classroom-based studies to enhance industry experience and perceptions, providing career guidance and counseling services that emphasize clear career paths, and adapting the working environment to meet the needs of the new generation of workers. Additionally, the establishment should ensure work-life balance and job security.
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