Self-Efficacy, Industry Experience, and the Self-Directed Learning Readiness of Hospitality Industry College Students

ABSTRACT

This study investigated if industry experience and self-efficacy could significantly predict the self-directed learning readiness of hospitality, also known as Travel Industry Management (TIM), in college students in Hawaii. One hundred and nine hospitality industry college students who worked in the hospitality industry, from two major institutions of higher education on the island of Oahu, formed the sample group. The significant predictor using stepwise linear regression was self-efficacy. Industry experience was not found to be a significant predictor based on the sample in this study. The findings that indicate self-efficacy is a significant predictor of self-directed learning readiness are consistent with self-efficacy theories involving adult learners.

Key Words:

• Self-directed learning
• industry experience
• self-efficacy