Tourism College Major and The Relationships Among Choosing Tourism As a Major, major Satisfaction and Commitment, and Career Decision Self-Efficacy

Abstract

The human resource potential of college tourism students is the foundation for growth of the future tourism industry. The aim of this study is to analyze problems in human resource programs within tourism studies and to provide useful insights to tourism educational and training institutes. This study examined the characteristics of college students majoring in tourism studies and delved into the relationship among choosing tourism as a major, major satisfaction, major commitment, and career decision self-efficacy. Data were collected via a convenience sample, with self-administrated questionnaires given to college students participating in tourism classes. The 412 students sampled were enrolled in either 2-year, 3-year, or 4-year college programs. Frequency analysis, factor analysis, and regression analysis were used. Results from this research showed that tourism majors had positive inclination towards major satisfaction, major commitment and career decision self-efficacy. Impact of such findings may help to better understand the characteristics and conditions of college students majoring in tourism studies, and help them overcome a sense of failure or loss of will, which may potentially lead to school dropout, or selection of jobs that are irrelevant to their major. Moreover, this study provides some important insights on college student’s growth and development to become tourism experts after graduating college.