Description
The preference of students to choose a career in events management over hospitality despite low demand for skills is the focus of this paper. The need for greater involvement of external stakeholders is identified as important in ensuring that students make an informed decision when choosing a career path. A model representing the ideal situation for student decision-making on career choice is proposed. The research was funded through the NCVER's Building Researcher Capacity initiative and was undertaken by a novice researcher in the Community of Practice scholarship program.
Summary
About the research
Building the research capacity of the vocational education and training (VET) sector is a key concern for the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). To assist with this objective, NCVER supports a community of practice scholarship program, where VET practitioners without research experience are given the opportunity to undertake their own work-based research project. Scholarship recipients are supported by a mentor, and NCVER publishes their research results.
Simon Hamm participated in the 2008 community of practice program. Simon is a teacher in Event Management at William Angliss TAFE. His research explores why, despite more labour market demand for skills in hospitality, students prefer a career in events management to hospitality. He also investigates factors influencing decision-making.
The study comprised interviews with event management and hospitality students to examine the different influences on students when choosing their particular career path.
Key messages
- Students reported working conditions, such as long hours and poor pay, as deterring them from a career in hospitality.
- Because they often rely on information from parents and friends rather than on those with greater knowledge about the sector, students had unrealistic expectations about the job status and pay of the events industry.
The author points to a greater role for employers in informing students about their industries and the career opportunities available to them.
Tom Karmel
Managing Director, NCVER