Abstract

Objectives This study aims to identify work adjustment among early-career MZ generation college graduates, explore latent classes with distinct work adjustment changes, verify influencing factors, and examine tenure and stress differences based on these classes.
 Methods For this purpose, 9th to 14th wave of the Korea Employment Information Service’s Youth Panel 2007 were utilized to conduct analyses on the latent growth model and growth mixture model of work adjustment for early-career college graduates.
 Results Firstly, when examining the averages of work adjustment of early-career college graduates at three time points, the level of work adjustment followed a linear latent growth model. There were individual differences at the initial stage, confirming the presence of heterogeneity within the change trajectory. Secondly, work adjustment was classified into three latent classes: the “Low-Increasing” group (2.5%), the “High-Decreasing” group (12.7%), and the “Mid-Level Sustaining” group (84.8%). Thirdly, factors predicting the latent classes included congruence between job details and skill level, participation in vocational education programs, and the number of job search experiences. Lastly, there were differences in stress levels among the work adjustment groups of early-career college graduates. The “Low-Increasing” group had lower stress levels compared to the “High-Decreasing” group, and the “Mid-Level Sustaining” group exhibited lower stress levels than the “High-Decreasing” group.
 Conclusions The results of this study confirmed the existence of different patterns of work adjustment changes among early-career college graduates of the MZ generation and identified implications for vocational education and organizational onboarding strategies for each group.

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