Factors that Influence Career Choice of Hospitality Students in Moi University, Kenya

Career choice is a complex decision for students since it determines the kind of profession that they intend to pursue in life. As students try to make career choice, they face problems of matching their career choices with their abilities and academic performance. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence career choice among students undertaking hospitality management such as personal, environmental and opportunity. The target population was 302 students. The sample size was 120 students. Stratified and systematic random sampling techniques were used in the study whereas the students were grouped in strata of year of study. Data was collected using questionnaires which were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in the form of bar graphs and frequency tables. The findings showed that majority of students are influenced by opportunity and environmental factors and not influenced by personal factors. However the findings also showed that students opted, selected and preferred hospitality careers despite many other alternatives that were open to them. The findings may benefit the Hotel and Hospitality department of Moi University in understanding the choice factors used by their students in joining the career. The study recommends intensive advertisements by institutions offering hospitality and also career education to enable students make informed decisions