Undergraduate Research

Mentoring Experiences of Undergraduate Retail and Hospitality Students

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Abstract

Mentoring is an important aspect of personal and professional development for college students, and research has shown that mentoring programs are particularly beneficial for underrepresented groups. The purpose of this undergraduate research project was to identify the mentoring experiences and preferences of students seeking careers in service industries and identify what differences may exist based on underrepresented status. Students enrolled in retail and hospitality programs (n=137) completed an online survey. Results indicate that students generally feel supported both emotionally and professionally, although a majority of students did not have a formal mentor. The exploratory study provides insights into the mentoring needs of students pursuing careers in the dynamic retail and hospitality fields, industries both plagued with high turnover and employee retention concerns.

Keywords: mentoring, underrepresented, retail, hospitality

How to Cite:

Williams, L., Massey, K., Crutsinger, C. & Williams, K., (2024) “Mentoring Experiences of Undergraduate Retail and Hospitality Students”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 80(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17315