Understanding Hospitality Students’ Perspectives Towards Hospitality Program Resources: A Qualitative Research

Hospitality students are qualified and well-trained candidates to meet the growing labor demand of the hospitality industry. It is worth noting that not all hospitality students are attracted to hospitality careers. While previous hospitality education research has shown interest in the role of hospitality program resources in students’ career intentions, there is a significant gap in qualitative research that investigates students’ detailed perspectives on how these resources can shape their career decisions. Drawing on Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), this case study explores students’ perspectives on their resource experiences, needs, and perceived SCCT factors associated with their career and graduate studies intentions. The data were generated through 17 online semi-structured interviews of hospitality students enrolled in a southwestern four-year hospitality program. Specifically, this case study’s findings revealed that hospitality program resources have an important role in helping students discover, identify, and develop their career interests and future plans. The most needed resources expected by students are redesigning hospitality courses, assigning jobs (including guaranteeing internships), and learning specific positions (e.g., job title, duties, daily work content, promotion paths, etc.) that are available in the hospitality industry. Consistent with the SCCT’s theoretical framework, students’ social cognitive variables, perceived contextual barriers and support, and additional personal factors work together and shape their career and academic development. Accordingly, the findings are valuable for hospitality programs to understand and better accommodate students’ needs, offering resources that can support students’ development.