Abstract:
Career choice is a complex decision for students since it determines the kind of profession that they intend to
pursue in life. As students try to make career choice, they face problems of matching their career choices with
their abilities and academic performance. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence career
choice among students undertaking hospitality management such as personal, environmental and opportunity.
The target population was 302 students. The sample size was 120 students. Stratified and systematic random
sampling techniques were used in the study whereas the students were grouped in strata of year of study. Data
was collected using questionnaires which were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in the form of
bar graphs and frequency tables. The findings showed that majority of students are influenced by opportunity
and environmental factors and not influenced by personal factors. However the findings also showed that
students opted, selected and preferred hospitality careers despite many other alternatives that were open to them.
The findings may benefit the Hotel and Hospitality department of Moi University in understanding the choice
factors used by their students in joining the career. The study recommends intensive advertisements by
institutions offering hospitality and also career education to enable students make informed decisions
