Graduate Employability Research Articles

PLANNING FOR OLD AGE BY GRADUATES OF A MASTER’S GERONTOLOGY PROGRAM IN ISRAEL

Abstract The master’s programs in gerontology in Israel were founded in 1999 in response to the challenges brought by extended life courses and the accompanying accelerated growth of welfare and health services for the aged. Since its beginning, thousands of students graduated from the programs and occupy central positions in the gerontological field. However, no empirical data exists on the extent of the involvement by graduates in employment in the field of aging. The current study aims to provide a first-time assessment of the experiences of graduates in Israel following their studies, as well as examine the level of preparedness to old age among graduates, since their work and study of older adults might make their own future old age more salient. We collected data using online surveys from 197 graduates of the gerontology programs. Participants were asked about their work experience in the gerontology field and about the extent to which they prepare for old age. The findings showed that most graduates (80%) currently work in the field of aging, and are overall pleased with the jobs. However, most of the graduated (68%) also reported difficulties in finding employment. Logistic regressions showed that those who currently work in aging and who graduated before less years were also less likely to make preparations for needing nursing care in old age and talking with relatives about their death. Thus, working and studying about aging could be related to being less likely to make preparations for old age.

Strategies for the Unequal Distribution of Emotional Labor in Graduate Student and Contingent Teaching

ABSTRACT Scholarship on teaching and learning (SoTL) shows how caring for students proves crucial to effective college teaching. Providing mentorship to undergraduates in and outside the classroom can require ample emotional labor, especially for graduate-student and adjunct instructors. Even though graduate students and contingent faculty are at a structural disadvantage, they have profound influence over undergraduate students, particularly at large institutions where undergraduates may encounter them and look to them for emotional support and professional mentorship more than tenure-track faculty. For example, female and minority instructors disproportionately take on unpaid emotional labor in students’ personal and professional lives related to courses focusing on issues of structural inequality that may require them to mentor and manage student emotions more than those in more secure positions. This can amplify the stress, competition, and uncertainty of graduate study and employment. Consequently, this essay focuses on strategies—boundary maintenance, time strategies, and managed expectations—to mitigate the unequal impact of this emotional labor and create more equitable pedagogical practices.

Exploration and Practice of College Students’ Career Guidance Program in the Perspective of Green China

Abstract The employment of vocational college graduates is a matter of social stability. In this paper, we first introduce modularized teaching in vocational college students’ employment guidance courses to unify the teaching of vocational college students’ career development and employment guidance courses. Secondly, in the preference analysis module, the WOA algorithm is used to optimize the selection of LSSVM parameters, and the WOA-LSSVM model adapted to the regression prediction of vocational college students’ employment preferences is proposed. Then, in the module of employment optimal matching, the Lagrangian conditional function extreme value is found in the discrete job data through the residual optimization algorithm, and the results of the optimal matching of vocational college students’ employment supply and demand are obtained. Finally, the overall situation and group differences in the intensity of employment pressure felt by vocational college students are analyzed. The results show that the maximum value of students’ employment pressure in the modular teaching of employment guidance is 128.28, the mean value is 0.02283, and the Std.Dev is 0.90383. The multivariate kurtosis coefficient decreases from 6.385 to 0.874, which is the critical value (c.r.). Decreases to 1.983<1.95, and the data are normally distributed. This study provides some references to enhance the career planning function of vocational college students’ career guidance courses.

Serious gaming for graduates employability enhancement.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are blamed for being insouciant about the business world and not efficiently steeling students with employment abilities. As a reply to this exigency from business owners, HEIs have started to show commitment to graduate employability through developing and adopting new educational material, such Serious Games (SGs), to help students acquire these soft skills. This paper explores the students' perceptions of the significance of SGs on soft skills and therefore boosting graduate employability. We carried out a quantitative and qualitative study with 322 students from business colleges in the aim to focus on the impact of user experience in SGs on critical thinking and teamwork. The results highlight the strong influence of SGs to acquire these soft skills.

A predictive model: A study of employment factors for fresh college graduates

The employment situation of fresh college graduates is affected by many factors. In this paper, on the basis of decision tree, the C4.5 method was used to analyze the employment factors of fresh college graduates. An improved C4.5 model was designed by simplifying the calculation formula of the C4.5 method and combining the error tolerance. Experiments were performed on the actual data of fresh college graduates. The results found that the practice level had a great impact on the employment of fresh college graduates, so the training of the practice level should be focused on before graduation. The results of the prediction models showed that the improved C4.5 method had a smaller training error than ID3 and C4.5 methods, a significantly higher prediction accuracy (88.39%), higher precision, recall rate, and F1 value, and a shorter running time (1.642 s); the improved model remained a high accuracy even when the data volume increased. The experimental results verify the reliability of the improved C4.5 model in predicting the employment situation of fresh college graduates. The model can be applied in actual employment guidance.

Research on the development issues and countermeasures of the China higher education foundation

Strong financial support is an essential prerequisite for ensuring the quality of education. As the scale of higher education institutions continues to expand, the demand for educational funding keeps increasing. Social donations, as a significant source of funds, highlight the importance of educational foundations. This paper reviews the development history, policy support, and primary fundraising targets of China's higher education foundations. Based on the existing issues in the development of higher education foundations in China, it proposes specific recommendations in four areas: strengthening the construction of a professional talent pool, enhancing the depth and breadth of information disclosure, increasing transparency in the use of donation funds, improving the quality of talent development, and paying continuous attention to graduate employment and career development. It also suggests engaging in digital philanthropy and utilizing social media platforms to enhance two-way interaction, thereby promoting higher education foundations to better fulfill their role and support the sustainable development of China's higher education.

Elevating Employability: Analysing English Curriculum for Military Aviation Officers

Adequate English communication is vital for professional success, particularly in the aviation industry. As universities strive to enhance graduate employability, it is imperative to equip future employees with the necessary linguistic abilities to navigate the challenges and achieve organizational objectives within the workforce. One critical avenue for achieving this objective is the meticulous design of English language syllabi. The primary aim of this research, conducted in Malaysia, is to investigate feedback from aviation military officers former students of a defence university, regarding the existing English language curriculum and to identify their specific requirements for these courses. The study addresses two key questions: 1) Feedback on the existing English courses for military aviation officers, and 2) The English language requirements of military aviation officers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight military aviation officers nationwide using a qualitative research method. These interviews were conducted online due to pandemic-related restrictions, with each participant interviewed individually. The study’s main findings emphasize the significant role of English language proficiency in the aviation profession. Participants highlighted the critical need for improved curriculum designs, focusing on accent and jargon mastery. These insights underscore the urgency of refining the current English language courses to better address the specific language requirements of military aviation officers, thereby promoting their sustainable employment. In conclusion, this research provides valuable recommendations for curriculum enhancement and analyses future research in English language instruction. Emphasizing the critical role of English language skills in the aviation industry contributes to creating more effective and tailored English classrooms in the aviation sector and beyond. This study ultimately advances the broader goal of enhancing graduate employability in aviation.

Assessing the acquired skills for demand and employability in the job market: a tracer study of LIS graduates of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University in Katsina metropolis Nigeria

This study set out to assess the acquired skills of the graduates of library and information science of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University for demand and employability in the job market. The study objectives were to examine the demand of LIS graduates; identify the sectors employing them and to ascertain the challenges they face on the job. Employers of LIS graduates were targeted in Katsina metropolis. Total enumeration was used as the population within the study area was small and the data was gathered through field survey and literature review with the use of questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered on the 120 identified graduates with a response rate of 98 which represent 81.70%, the quantitative data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 26. Two null hypotheses were also tested at α =0.05 using Correlation. The findings shows that demand for LIS graduates was generally low; the sectors employing the LIS graduates were information centers, printing and publishing firms, non-governmental organizations among others; and the challenges faced by the LIS graduates on the job are problem solving and teamwork among others. The study recommends that there is need to extend the industrial training done by the LIS students to other sectors to boost their thinking capacity and relevance, also, more skills acquisition related courses be integrated in their curriculum to widen the scope of their expertise for competitive advantage

Hiring Managers’ Perceptions of the Employability of Career and Technical Education Graduates

ABSTRACTCommunity colleges serve as a pipeline to industry for students seeking jobs in technical fields. Despite community colleges’ contribution to the workforce, there is a stigma attached to their programs, specifically career and technical (CTE) programs. Due to public perception that certificate and associate degree programs lack rigor, employers may devalue the programs offered at community colleges and doubt the abilities of community college graduates. Since education background is an important factor of a candidate’s employability, more research is needed to understand how employers view CTE education today. This qualitative study explored hiring managers’ perceptions of community college graduates with associate degrees or certificates in a CTE program. Twelve hiring managers from health, insurance, education, and business sectors in a medium-sized city in the Midwest were interviewed. Analysis of the transcripts revealed three findings: (a) education programs prepare graduates to fulfill technical job responsibilities, (b) underdeveloped soft skills and critical thinking skills, and (c) hiring managers look for candidates who demonstrate passion.

Relationship between skills acquired and on the job performance of library and information science (lis) graduates of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University Katsina, Nigeria

This research is a study of Library and Information Science Graduates of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University Katsina 2010-2019 for their skills Relevance and performance in the Job Market. The areas focused upon were employers of LIS graduates in Katsina Metropolis. The data was gathered through literature review and field survey. Total enumeration sampling was applied to determine the required sample frames of graduates. The responses were gathered from LIS schools, Libraries, higher institutions, Ministries, Banks and NGOs. A Questionnaire was administered to obtain the necessary data from the respondents. The questionnaire was administered on a total of 120 graduates and a response rate of 98 representing 81.70% was achieved. Data was analysed using quantitative statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Two null hypotheses were tested at α =0.05 using Correlation. The overall results revealed that the graduates were employed (100%). Decision on each of the items and aggregate mean score for the table is based on the midpoint average of 3.0 on the five-point scale. Opinion of the responses in the table revealed that Time manage was low on the scale among skills acquired by the graduates during their training in the university. Most responses were of the view that the graduates’ acquisition of Time management during training was not adequate enough. Responses were of the view that Information Management Skill acquired by the graduates was relevant in the job market. The responses rated the graduates’ performances as very high. Ho1 revealed that acquired skills during training as under-graduate in the university was significantly correlated with the graduates’ performances in their respective jobs. Ho2 revealed that the UMYU LIS graduates’ skills and relevance of the skills in the job market were significantly correlated.

A Process Model for Designing Employability Award Programs to Develop Graduate Employability

Employability awards have been implemented within universities as a strategy to support student development of employability and ultimately attainment of employment. The extant research into employability awards lacks a theoretical approach to designing and evaluating the impact of employability awards on relevant outcomes including employability and employment. This paper, informed by career construction theory, proposes a learner-focused, process model for developing employability. It also paves the way for future research to evaluate the impact of employability award programs.

Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation

It is surprising how one generation can be unmindful of another generation’s lived reality and challenges. How well do the Baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and Generation X (or Gen X, born between 1965 and 1980) understand the lived reality of the millennials (Generation Y or Gen Y, born between 1981 and 1996)? Surely, boomers and Gen X’s would benefit from understanding millennials and their upbringing, cultural conditioning, and expectations. Anne Helen Petersen’s Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation is a good starting point in this understanding. The book’s central theme is the feeling of millennials’ “burnout” in the face of growing up, securing a career, and raising children. “Can’t even” means one is emotionally overwhelmed. Petersen explores five topics: (i) the conditioning of the millennials by their boomer parents, (ii) millennials’ expectations of college and university, (iii) internships and graduate employment and careers, (iv) leisure and free time, and (v) parenthood. Petersen investigates the millennials’ “burnout” and opportunities and challenges in the broader context of late capitalism (neoliberal ideology) and global events (the 2003 Iraq War, the 2008 recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic). Overall, the book highlights that a balanced and quality life for millennials requires intergenerational understanding and government policies to enable them to experience the “good life”.

Employment of Fresh Graduates from Higher Vocational Schools (Specialty) vs. General Higher Schools (Undergraduate) in 2022 Shanghai

This study aims to explore the employment situation of fresh graduates of higher vocational schools (specialty) and general higher schools (undergraduate) in Shanghai in 2022, and to compare them from the perspectives of employment rate and average salary. In this study, the contextual factor is the epidemics impact on the economy and the labor market. By doing an online survey, the study concluded that the employment rate of fresh graduates from higher vocational schools was relatively high, while the average salary of fresh graduates from general higher schools was higher. In addition, most of the participants were satisfied with the correlation between the job they were currently engaged in and the specialty they studied in their undergraduate/specialized degree. The studys findings point to a correlation between educational background and actual salary, job specialty correlation, and job satisfaction. As a result, its possible that the studys results arent as reliable as they may be. Finally, this research sheds light on the job landscape for new Shanghai grads from both higher vocational and general higher schools in 2022, as well as the correlation between academic credentials and professional success. A deeper understanding of the problem will need more study with a bigger sample size and other considerations.

Critical Factors for Effective BIM-Enabled Education: An Adaptive Structuration Theory Perspective

Educational systems of the 21st century require agility and flexibility for construction graduates to have the skills, knowledge, and abilities required for effective performance in the construction industry, especially with the global digitalization of the industry. With reference to adaptive structuration theory (AST) as a theoretical lens and a survey research design, this research examined the relationship between building information modeling (BIM) as an advanced information technology and educators’ attitudes toward implementing BIM for construction education to prepare local graduates for global relevance and employment. Data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Ver 25). The findings of the study showed that group internal system, structure of BIM, and task and organizational environment play important roles in implementing BIM for construction education in the architecture, engineering, construction, and facilities management (AEC/FM) disciplines. It was recommended that policymakers, academics, and curriculum developers pay attention to these factors for rapid development in the realm of BIM education. The development of a robust BIM education framework that considers these factors should also be studied.

Purpose-Based Career Coaching as a Strategy for Increasing Employability of Graduates: A Survey Study

This study investigated teachers’ and counsellors’ perception of a purpose-based career coaching as a strategy for increasing employability of graduates in Nigeria. The design employed to conduct this study was a cross-sectional survey design that featured desk research and sensitivity workshop. The participants were 100 teachers and 100 counsellors from South-East region of Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted in this study. Purpose-based Career Coaching and Employability Questionnaire" (PCCEQ) was used to collect data, while descriptive and inferential analysis were used to analyse data. The results obtained revealed that the knowledge level of the teachers and counsellors increased through the sensitivity workshop with respect to the use of purpose-based career coaching as a strategy for increasing employability of graduates. In addition, with a slight significant difference, the perception of both teachers and the counsellors was high in terms of application, workability and effectiveness of the purpose-based career coaching. Gender did not have any significant contribution or influence on the participants’ perceptions. Therefore, the conclusion reached in this study is that teachers and counsellors perceived purpose-based career coaching as effective, applicable and workable strategy for increasing employability of graduates in Nigeria.

ТРАНСФОРМАЦИЯ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ ЦЕНТРОВ КАРЬЕРЫ РОССИЙСКИХ ВУЗОВ В СОВРЕМЕННЫХ УСЛОВИЯХ

The paper addresses the urgent problem of graduate employment in the context of labor market transformation. Having considered the main directions of activities of career centers of Russian universities, the authors of the article dwell on the analysis of the peculiarities of the activities of career centers of universities. The study shows that, despite the diversity of approaches to the organization of career centers’ activities, in the conditions of constant changes and challenges of the labor market, the formation of a graduate’s employability is of particular importance in the development of his/her career.

Development of Employment Skills and Career Growth of Higher Education Graduates in the Context of Best International Practices

The article discusses the challenges of employment for higher education graduates and justifies effective approaches to developing employment skills and further career growth. It is noted that the key skills for employment include multitasking, leadership, critical thinking, creativity, determination, communicativeness, the ability to present activity results, flexibility, decision-making, teamwork, responsibility for achieving common goals, and so on. Approaches to organizing educational activities and skill development methods are highlighted: a differentiated approach, student-centered learning, the use of active teaching methods, networking, mentoring, coaching. Traditional and innovative methods of graduates' skill development are singled out (project method, puzzles, mind maps, discussions, debates, interactive mini-lectures, presentations, problem-based learning, inquiry-based learning, case method, etc.). Emphasis is placed on the activities of university structural units in providing comprehensive preparation of graduates for the job market, covering skills such as successful resume writing, interviewing, job interviews, adaptation to the first job, lifelong learning, and time management.

Employability of College Graduates: A Literature Review

The purpose of this study is to review academic research on the employability of university graduates. The paper outlines the main research topics on the employability of university graduates and outlines the gaps in previous research. This paper reviews and analyzes the themes of empirical research published in the past five years, and summarizes a total of 7 themes. These 7 themes are divided as follows. Topic 1: Development and influencing factors of graduates’ employability. Topic 2: The relationship between higher education and graduates’ employability. Topic 3: The impact of university-industry cooperation on graduates’ employability. Topic 4: The impact of social capital and professional networks on employability. Topic 5: The Importance of Improving Soft Skills and Core Employability Soft Skills. Topic 6: The impact of social mobility factors on employability. Topic 7: Globalization, social and workplace diversity require graduates’ employability.

Технологии и способы трудоустройства выпускников учебных заведений

The advantages and problems of job search and employment methods for graduates of higher educational institutions have been studied. Author’s monitoring has shown that recently every third graduate is a certified unemployed. In modern socio-economic conditions, graduates of higher schools find themselves disoriented in the labor market. 60% work outside their specialty for reasons: 35.7% — it is difficult to find a job; 35.7% — low pay; 17.9% — got a more interesting job; 3.6% — do not like the specialty they received; 7.1% — other reasons. The factors for this are: imbalance of the labor market and the market of educational services; dissatisfaction of employers with the quality of professional education of graduates of educational institutions; low level of interest of educational institutions in the employment of graduates; inflated self-esteem of graduates of their professional level. The author’s monitoring made it possible to identify the most effective methods of employment and determine measures to improve them.

Проблемы трудоустройства выпускников профессиональных образовательных организаций в условиях современной экономики России

The article examines the problems of the modern Russian labor market: the lack of specialists, scarce specialties, and replenishment with new specialists – graduates of professional educational organizations – including the ways graduates search for work and methods that allow graduates to find employment. An important place in this study is given to the employment of young professionals. One of the main criteria (requirements of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation) and accreditation indicators for assessing the quality of training of specialists by professional educational organizations is the number of employed graduates. The indicators of employment in their specialty are also important, which is considered an indicator of the quality of training future specialists. To evaluate this criterion, the study analyzes employment indicators and the methods of employment used by graduates when searching for work in modern economic conditions. The analysis of statistical indicators on the graduation and employment of graduates over the past years, their dynamics, and factors of influence are revealed. The main goal of the study is to find opportunities to achieve an equilibrium between supply and demand in the labor market. As a result, the authors propose a model of interaction between the main participants in the educational process. The main participants in the proposed model are employers (enterprises, businesses, etc.), creating demand for specific labor market specialists; professional educational organizations (offering educational services); consumers of educational services (students and applicants; parents of students); and the state (as the main customer of in-demand specialists for the country's economy). The author's model structures the methods of interaction between participants in the labor market, allows us to identify the factors influencing the interaction of the main ones, and can be applicable for the national labor market and for regional markets.