Stability and Shifts: Self-Efficacy, Person-Environment Fit, and Career Continuity Among Undergraduate Hospitality Students

This study examines the factors influencing undergraduate students' career choices and continuity in the hospitality industry, with a focus on foodservice operations. Drawing on Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), it investigates the role of career decision-making self-efficacy in initial career choices, the predictive power of pre-training career plans on post-training continuity, and the moderating effect of person-environment fit (P-E fit). Data were collected via pre- and post-training surveys from 163 students in a foodservice laboratory course at a Mid- Western U.S. university. Results revealed no significant link between self-efficacy and initial career choice. However, students with predefined career plans demonstrated greater continuity post-training; P-E fit did not moderate this relationship. Paired t-tests showed increased self- efficacy after training but decreased perceived P-E fit. These findings suggest that initial career intentions strongly predict persistence in hospitality, while hands-on training boosts confidence despite potential mismatches in perceived fit. Implications include reinforcing industry values in curricula to retain talent amid high turnover. Limitations involve small sample size; future research should expand longitudinally. This contributes to understanding career development in hospitality education, highlighting practical training's role in shaping professional trajectories.