Understanding the Initial Career Adaptation Process and the Meaning of Career Transition of College Graduates

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the experience of career adaptation in the first workplace and the meaning of the first workplace career transition among new college graduates. In particular, we noted the voluntary career transition of research participants and applied Savickas's Career Adaptation 4C concept to understand experiences among the college graduates’career adaptation. The research questions were first to learn about the career adaptation experiences of new college graduates and second to understand what the meaning of their first work life was. The authors conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interview with nine participants who have less than two year experiences working life. The study results have shown that first, new college graduates were interested in a better job in their career(concern), contemplating in ‘holding up’and ‘leaving out’(control), finding opportunities for a new start(curiosity). It was found that they experience the first step toward reemployment(confidence). Second, their first work life had the meaning of first-time enlightenment and opportunity for growth through learning. Also, their first work experience had a new meaning through reflection, and was positively changing their lives through personal growth. These findings provided implications for effective employment support services for higher education institutions and business sectors.