This study focused on the students' perceptions towards working in the hospitality and tourism industries in a post-pandemic scenario. It aimed to investigate the career perceptions of the hospitality and tourism students of Nueva Vizcaya State University Bayombong Campus to show if they are still engaged and hopeful about working under the umbrella of the industry or not. Specifically, the study looked into the profiles of the respondents and their perceptions of working in the industry in terms of commitment to the industry, nature of jobs, pay and benefits, career progression and future prospects. In addition to this, significant differences in the students' perceptions when grouped according to profile variables were also identified. Based on the findings, the respondents believed that jobs in the industry would require more multi-tasking skills and the ability to acquire new skills every day. They also perceive that competition for job opportunities is going to be high, even in promotions. Foremost, students perceive that they are most likely to have concerns about the nature of jobs, followed by the commitment to the industry, pay and benefits, future prospects, and career progressions. Furthermore, significant differences in the students' perceptions of the nature of jobs, pay, and benefits are observed when grouped by year level. It was found that senior students tend to be more concerned about these work components than their younger counterparts.

Keywords: Career Perceptions, COVID-19 Pandemic, Tourism and Hospitality Industry

Thesis (Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management)

Includes appendices and bibliographical references