Career Perception of Undergraduate Students in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Jordan

Abstract

This research explores undergraduate students' perceptions of the tourism and hospitality industry in Jordan. It aims to understand the views and perspectives of Jordanian college graduates regarding careers in this sector. It explores factors influencing students' decisions to enter or avoid this field. Highlighting the significance of the hospitality industry in Jordan and the challenges in attracting and retaining skilled workers. It emphasizes the importance of employees' attitudes and perceptions in customer satisfaction and the success of the industry. This sets the stage for investigating undergraduate students’ perceptions of a career in tourism and hospitality.
Materials and Methods: This study delves into the career perceptions of Jordanian college graduates towards the hospitality and tourism industries, exploring the factors that attract or deter them from this field. It employs a comprehensive survey, disseminating 150 questionnaires encompassing 100 categories to gather diverse student perspectives. The data analysis utilizes the multiple regression method to test formulated theories, with a focus on the p-value for statistical hypothesis testing. The significance level is set at 0.05. This approach effectively reveals the strong correlation between various factors, such as career leaving intentions, location, salary, and desirable career traits, with the overall importance assigned to careers in this sector. Results: The survey revealed significant insights into the factors influencing Jordanian college graduates' career choices in the tourism and hospitality industry. The analysis identified a strong correlation between career preferences and factors such as location, salary, and specific traits viewed as desirable in the industry. These factors varied in their influence but collectively played a substantial role in shaping students' career aspirations and decisions. This comprehensive understanding of student perceptions provides valuable information for industry stakeholders aiming to attract and retain talented professionals.