Business and tourism students’ considerations on future career

Abstract

Studies in the field of tourism employment are continuously developing, as this domain is one of the most important industries in the world, 1 in 11 jobs being in this sector. Considering the poor reputation of the tourism industry, as an employer, it is important to study business and tourism students’ perception of the industry. The paper presents an exploratory research, conducted using a questionnaire-based study on senior undergraduate students at the Faculty of Business and Tourism (Bucharest University of Economic Studies). One of the main objectives of the survey was to identify students’ perception on the nature of an ideal job, compared to how they perceive a career in tourism. The study also reveals students’ perception on the abilities and competencies needed for a successful career in tourism, highlighting the extent to which they consider their undergraduate studies help them to develop the considered competencies. The findings of this study reveal students’ perception on the relevance of their academic education for a career in tourism, as well as important differences between an ideal career and what a career in tourism has to offer. Considering the limitations of the study, the theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.