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Figure 4.4 illustrates the results of participants’ internship status and indicates that majority (n=81, 84.4%) had undertaken at least one internship program. In addition, 15.6% (n=15) had no internship experience yet they were in their last year of study.

Figure 4.4. Participants’ Internship Status

Based on these findings, it is clear that some participants had not participated in a single internship program. Thus, they had not experienced the practical reality of the hospitality industry job environment. Surprisingly, these participants were in their

fourth year of study and expected to graduate. This could point to the direction in which the students’ make career decisions in the hospitality industry. For example, students could have an exciting desire to deliberately test the prospective occupation in an industry they have never known practically or vice versa.

It is reasonable to assume that any move into unexperienced situation will create some worries. In fact, Hughes (1958) talks of “reality shock” when describing experiences of individuals facing totally new work environments. What is quite clear is that a move into a new job environment has at least the potential to create a “reality shock” which may eventually change an individual initial intentions (Mackenzie Davey & Arnold, 2000).

A crosstabulation between the status of participants’ internship status and career intention following graduation revealed important figures as demonstrated in Table 4.5.

Table 4.5. Status of Participants’ Internship and Career Intention Status of Internship

Yes No

n % n %

Intention to seek a career in the industry

Yes 68 84.0% 14 93.3%

No 13 16.0% 1 6.7%

Total 81 100% 15 100%

Table 4.5 indicates that 84.0% of the total participants who had internship experiences and 93.3% of those who did not have internship experiences intended to seek a career in the hospitality industry following graduation. These findings suggest that, overall, participants in both categories were determined to seek a career in the hospitality industry. Looking at the ratio between those who had an internship

experience and those who did not have with regard to intention to seek a career in the hospitality industry, it is quite clear that, majority of participants (n=13, 16.0%) would not seek a career in the hospitality industry based on their internship experiences.

These findings support Roney an Oztin (2007) study which found that most participants (65.6%) with internship experience did have the intention to seek a career in the hospitality industry. While this is the case, Richardson (2010) found that between 35-50% of hospitality students with internship experiences did not want to work in the industry following graduation. However, as the present study shows, it is not the case in all situations (King, McKercher, & Waryszak, 2003). These studies reveal inconsistent results in comparison with each other and the present study findings, but this could augment the idea that student’s career decisions are influenced by various factors other than just internship experiences. The qualitative findings are presented in the next section, which establishes the reasons that influence students to seek a career in the hospitality industry.

Qualitative analysis on the reasons as to why students would seek a career in the hospitality industry revealed somewhat similar themes and patterns. There was a noticeable consistency in the comments that related to participants’ intentions to seek a career in the hospitality industry following graduation. The following quote from one participant is typical:

“The internship period opened my eyes wider about the industry and since I love what I am studying I would like to pursue it and to be part and parcel of this industry.”

Participants also perceived the need to put into practice what they had learnt in class and viewed the hospitality industry as a good platform for doing exactly that, as demonstrated by the following quote:

“I intend to seek a career after internship and graduation so that I can put into practice what I have learnt and positively contribute in making a better change in the hospitality industry.”

Moreover, participants revealed that they would seek a career in the hospitality industry based on their education qualifications as well as their personal traits and abilities. One respondent emphasized the choice to work in the hospitality industry as follows:

“The job fits my education qualifications and a career in hospitality industry will also fit in well with my personality and abilities.”

In addition, another participant stated that:

“I like everything to do with hospitality. I like helping people and affirmation from customers that I have done a good work. That is what I would like and also to work in the kitchen or start a catering business.”

These qualitative findings revealed very significant information regarding participants’ choice to seek a career in the hospitality industry following internship experiences and graduation. Internship experiences were perceived as being double- sided.

On one side, the findings indicated that internships introduces the students into the enticing practical world of the hospitality industry which gives them the platform to better understand the industry. Thus good and positive internship experiences could be a major force that drives students to seek a career in the hospitality industry. The force is even stronger when students find a match of their education qualification, personalities and abilities. It could also be argued that the relatedness nature of the hospitality industry that exposes students to sync well with others as well as the

fulfillment that comes as a result of the customers’ affirmation for a job well accomplished could drive them to pursue a career in the hospitality industry.

On the other side, negative internship experiences dissuade the students from seeking a career in the hospitality industry. The following statement from one of the participant who had an internship experience is typical:

“My placement experience discouraged me.”

Another participant revealed the nature of the hospitality industry working environment and described it as having:

“No free time and interferes with one's social life”

Participants also revealed that the challenges associated with working in the hospitality industry would demotivate them from seeking a career in the hospitality industry. In this sense, one participant described the industry as follows:

“Poor pay, being overworked, working on holidays and weekends and wearing uniforms.”

These findings suggests that negative internship experiences discourage the students from seeking and committing themselves to a career in the hospitality industry. This could be attributed to the perception that they recognize the nature of jobs in the hospitality industry as interfering with their social life, pays poorly, long-working hours, no holidays and weekends. Interestingly, putting on uniform during the job was seen as one of the reason that could persuade students against seeking a career in the hospitality industry.