Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Climbing The Hospitality Career Ladder: Career Guidance Insights From Social Networking Profiles
Peter W Obrien

Abstract
In this paper, I examined an alternative source of information for current students (as well as potential students and their parents) interested in facts about careers in the hospitality industry. Textbooks and corporate websites provide simplified and perhaps misleading information on career paths and progress. Empirical research on key roles is limited in its focus, and either flawed or sparse and dated. I used the publicly accessible social networking profiles of 13 male and one female Mainland Chinese international hotel food and beverage directors to illustrate different career patterns in the lodging industry to three groups of students. I identified limitations of the approach I used. I drew implications for practice for faculty members tasked with providing continuing career counselling to students.

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