How Hospitality Students Develop Perceptions of Potential Employers

Abstract

This 2003 study repeats and extends a 1997 investigation of how students perceive hospitality organizations as prospective employers. Using structural equation modeling, the study confirmed five factors to examine the relationship between the factors and the likelihood of employment in eight industry segments. The greatest difference between the 1997 findings and those of 2003 is the rise of the Internet in guiding students’ attitudes toward various industry segments. With regard to quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and private clubs, company-sponsored events particularly improve the likelihood of that a student will accept employment in those segments. Word of mouth and experience as a customer, on the other hand, can decrease a student’s interest in working in economy hotels and QSRs (even though direct work experience improves notice for those two segments). Ironically, the personal recruiting visit seems to have less influence on employment decisions than one might expect.