Hilton Worldwide and Les Roches Reveal Insights on ‘Generation Y’
International survey finds students eager for global career opportunities, with many considering working in China’s booming hospitality industry
Hospitality students around the world are eager for international career opportunities, and many are considering working in China after graduation, according to a survey jointly conducted by leading global hospitality company Hilton Worldwide and Les Roches Jin Jiang International Hotel Management College (LRJJ), China's top international hospitality management school.
SHANGHAI -- Hospitality students around the world are eager for international career opportunities, and many are considering working in China after graduation, according to a survey jointly conducted by leading global hospitality company Hilton Worldwide and Les Roches Jin Jiang International Hotel Management College (LRJJ), China's top international hospitality management school[1].
The survey, which aimed to better understand young people's - popularly known as 'Generation Y' - thinking around careers in the industry, was conducted as part of the two-day 'Generation Y Conference' in Shanghai. A total of 473 students from leading hospitality schools across five countries - China, Switzerland, Australia, Spain and the United States - took part in the survey.
"China is witnessing an unprecedented growth in the hospitality sector, which presents huge opportunities for young people who have a passion for working in the industry. Hilton Worldwide is committed to nurturing young talent to support our expansion needs, help young professionals realize their career ambitions and also contribute to the overall development of the industry," said David Osborne, senior vice president, Human Resource Operations and Development, Hilton Worldwide. The company has an ambitious goal to extend and deepen its presence in China by expanding from the current 28 to over 100 hotels in the market by 2015.
In the survey, international career opportunities was cited as the top factor for choosing to study hospitality, with over half of respondents (51 per cent) citing it as one of their top five reasons. In addition, 65 per cent of students are considering working in China after graduation. Among students in the Asia Pacific region, Hilton Worldwide is the top choice to work for, with 57 per cent of them choosing it as one of the top three hotel groups they would consider working for.
Other key survey findings include:
- Hospitality education an asset, management and leadership courses valuable: 40 per cent of students surveyed ranked hospitality education as one of the top three factors that will help them achieve their vision of a successful career. Management / entrepreneurial / leadership courses were most frequently cited (59 per cent) as one of the most valuable classes for preparing for their careers. This could be because nearly three out of four students (74 per cent) expected to start their careers in a supervisor / team leader position and above.
- Career ambitious, but also value work-life balance over the long term: Career progression within the company was named by close to half of the students (47 per cent) as the most important factor when applying for the first permanent job. However in 'defining success 10 years after graduation', 'having a family, a job I like, friends and living a happy and balanced life' was most important, with 71 per cent of respondents choosing it as one of their top three criteria, ahead of even 'owning my own business' (48 per cent) and 'holding a senior management role in the hospitality industry' (42 per cent).
- Relationships most critical factor in staff retention: To ensure a long-term relationship with employers, students most value excellent relationships with colleagues and superiors, with over half of them (52 per cent) choosing it as one of their top four criteria. This was followed by good balance between professional and private life (43 per cent) and having the freedom to decide and manage (39 per cent).
In line with the insights, Hilton Worldwide has in place a range of initiatives to support young talent in their learning and career development. It has forged partnerships with LRJJ and other leading hospitality colleges in China to offer top students internship opportunities to complement their classroom learning. Under the program, the company will also organize guest lectures, on-site visits and e-learning programs specially designed to prepare students for the workplace. Outstanding students could potentially secure job offers with Hilton Worldwide upon graduation.
"The value of hospitality education in preparing students for successful careers in the industry is well recognized and appreciated. We will continue to work closely with leading industry players like Hilton Worldwide in developing our curriculum to meet the changing needs of the workplace and provide our students a head start in their careers when they graduate," said Judy Hou, CEO of LRJJ.
Beyond partnerships with hospitality colleges, Hilton Worldwide also invests heavily in training initiatives for its close to 12,000 staff in China. Promising talent are offered international career development opportunities and access to professional training and development across functions. A structured succession planning program is also in place to groom talent into more senior roles faster.
"Talent is the most critical resource in the hospitality sector as it is the people who ultimately deliver the guest experience. Hilton Worldwide has invested heavily in talent development as we believe the company that is able to best attract and groom talent will gain a huge competitive edge in the rapidly expanding Chinese market," said Lawrence Lee, vice president, Human Resources - Greater China & Mongolia, Hilton Worldwide.
Its investment in staff training and development has earned Hilton Worldwide a strong reputation as an employer of choice in the hospitality industry, being one of only two players in the industry to be named in the '2011 Best Employer for Chinese University Students' survey conducted by ChinaHR.com on university students.
Les Roches Jin Jiang (LRJJ) International Hotel Management College in Shanghai, China, addresses the growing demand for skilled hotel and hospitality executives both in China and internationally. By acquiring the knowledge, the practical and personal skills needed of hotel management; graduates will have a competitive advantage in pursuing careers in hospitality.
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,800 hotels and timeshare properties, with 630,000 rooms in 91 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit