What Factors Influence the Career Choice of Hotel Management Major Students in Guangzhou

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.