Philippine E-Journals

Career Choice Factors: Implications to the 21st Century BS Tourism Management Curriculum

Franklin F. Guiling

 

Abstract:

This study uses a qualitative-quantitative approach meant to improve the undergraduate tourism management curriculum of a Catholic University. The 2019 graduating students of Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) of St. Paul University Quezon City (SPUQC) provided extensive data on their perceptions about their curriculum and the reasons they opted to take this program. Findings showed that the BSTM curriculum of SPUQC is competitive but there are some areas which need improvement. The research instrument was a survey questionnaire which was validated by a statistician and industry experts. The frequency and the percent distributions and weighted mean were used in showing the students’ responses. The introduction of professional aviation related subjects in the curriculum was considered as one of the primary vehicles to make the program more attractive to students. Factors that affect career choice among tourism students were fast employability of BSTM graduates here and abroad and the industry offering high paying jobs and immense job opportunities and involving frequent travelling and immersion in cross cultural exchanges. Furthermore, results revealed that the 21st century tourism curriculum should focus on blended learning, the collaboration of critical thinking and problem solving skills, knowledge that leads to developing new skills, introduction of “multi-literacy” and provision of skills set applicable in facing the real world of travel and tourism.