Abstract:

With the expansion of tourism in an international and national basis, the need for qualified staff to work in tourism is increasing day by day. Although there are many universities that provide tourism education in our country and a students graduate from tourism faculties every year, the sector still suffers from having the professional labor force that has received education on this business. The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of internship experiences of undergraduate and graduate students receiving tourism education in Turkey's Thrace region (Kırklareli - Edirne - Tekirdağ) on their career choices. Sub-objectives of the research are to define the students' perceptions towards the sector, attitudes towards the sector, tendencies to make a career in the sector and motivation of internship. Survey technique from the quantitative research methods have been used in the research. The universe of the research is composed of the associate and undergraduate students of Kırklareli Tourism Faculty and Pınarhisar Vocational School, Trakya University Applied Sciences Academy and Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Social Sciences Vocational School Tourism and Hotel Management, located in Thrace region. The sample of the research consists of 215 undergraduate and 90 associate degree students. The research questionnaire has been applied to students who have been trained in tourism and completed at least one internship. As a result, the effect of motivation of internship, job environment, education and sectoral adjustment variables on career choice is significant. 

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