Employability Pathways among Tourism Management Graduates: A Tracer Study

The university’s obligation to deliver quality education and assistance extends beyond graduation. Just like any Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines, Mindoro State University-Bongabong Campus is offering Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) program. As the tourism industry evolves into a major contributor to the economies of many countries, it needs workers who are skilled and can adapt. To maintain the quality of course offering, conducting tracer study is mandated by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) # 46, s. 2012. This research employed a descriptive research design and quantitative data derived from a tracer study of Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) graduates from the academic years 2010-2024. This study demonstrated that they had diversified work titles while expressing thanks for the training and academic assistance received during their studies. The findings also underscore the importance of aligning academic initiatives in real-world contexts as well as continuous curriculum review to meet the requirements of the tourism industry workforce. Results also showed a significant low account of graduates securing international employment which posed a challenge to enhance internship programs as well as teaching methodologies to prepare graduates in the global arena. The digital proficiency of graduates shall also be improved, emphasizing its significance in their career hunt. While there is a notable satisfaction rate regarding the university’s job placement services, it is advisable to implement dedicated employment aid for BSTM graduates to enhance their chances of securing desired positions in the dynamic tourism industry.