Transitions from education to work: Impacts on perceived employability in Tourism and Hospitality

Abstract

The T&H industry has become a growing career choice, hence drawing great attention to the role of Higher Education in meeting the needs of both the industry and the graduates. This study seeks to portray the views of highly qualified individuals, Tourism and Hospitality graduates and prospective graduates, on the process of education-to-work transition, focusing on their perceived level of preparedness for entering the labour market. In-depth interviews were conducted with 56 purposefully selected participants at different career stages in Portugal. By focusing on first-hand accounts on academic paths and practical learning experiences, subjective meanings and some of the factors influencing career construction and employability in T&H are unveiled. These insights may assist Higher Education Institutions and employers in understanding how to support graduates in smoothing the transition to the labour market and to make full use of their potentials upon graduation.