Starting a Career During a Global Pandemic: Telling Stories of Hospitality Management Graduates’ Decision Making

ABSTRACT Using Social Cognitive Career Theory as a basic framework, this study explored hospitality students and recent graduates’ attitude toward working in the industry, career seeking experiences, and factors influencing their career decisions during the current COVID-19 global pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants from eleven universities located in ten states around the U.S. Over half of the participants continue to have positive attitudes to working in the industry, as long as the businesses follow proper health guidelines. Professors and social media become the major platforms to collect career information and connect with potential employers. For career decisions, job security, stable working hours and a source of income become the important factors they consider. The insights revealed by the current analysis will assist hospitality management programs’ decision makers and career advisers to better prepare their graduates to succeed in their career during turbulent times.