Attitudes to work of Generation Y students in hospitality management: a comparative analysis of students in the United States and the United Kingdom

Students currently in college are predominantly from “Generation Y” (GEN Y), born between 1975 and 1995. As GEN Y members enter the work force in large numbers, it is imperative that employers gain deeper insights into their mindset, particularly their attitudes towards work. This study addresses the issue by studying the attitudes to work of college students in hospitality management in two countries, the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK). Work attitude is recognized as a multidimensional construct. The study found GEN Y students in both the USA and the UK to be largely positive in their attitudes to work and to exhibit relatively low levels of cynicism about work and promotion. Furthermore, the study found that with increasing age and work experience, students’ positive work attitude was enhanced, while their negative attitudes were ameliorated.

Sumeetra Ramakrishnan (nee Thozhur)