Employment Outcomes and Skill Applicability of BSHM and BSTM Graduates: A Tracer Study at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation

This graduate tracer study examined the employment outcomes, job characteristics, job-seeking challenges, and perceived skill applicability of Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM) and Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) graduates of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) from Academic Years 2021–2022 to 2024–2025. Using a descriptive–exploratory correlational design, data were collected through an online structured questionnaire administered to 37 graduates (27 BSHM; 10 BSTM). Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, ranking, and weighted mean) were used to profile employment patterns, while Fisher’s Exact Test (two-sided, α = 0.05) examined associations between selected categorical variables and employment status. Results revealed that 73.0% of respondents were employed, 27.0% were unemployed, and 45.9% were regular or permanent employees. Workforce entry was generally timely, with 43.2% securing employment immediately after graduation and 21.6% within 1 year. However, job-search timelines varied, with limited job vacancies (40.5%) and inadequate experience (18.9%) identified as key challenges. Graduates reported high levels of skill applicability, with an aggregate mean of 3.8492 (“Very Applicable”), particularly in oral communication, human relations, and management/critical thinking skills. Inferential results showed no significant relationship between program and employment status (p = 1.000), but a significant association between gender and employment status (p = 0.008), indicating differentiated employability outcomes. Overall, the findings affirm the relevance of hospitality and tourism education to employability, while highlighting the need for targeted career transition programs, strengthened industry linkages, and equity-responsive initiatives.