Graduate Career Research Articles

How to Prepare Faculty and Graduate Students for Public Humanities Leadership

Abstract Graduate career development has grown over recent years with increasing interest in public scholarship and career diversity. In interviews with 41 public humanities leaders, participants agreed that public humanities introduces students to various career opportunities through community-engaged work and allows them to develop skills needed for those careers, such as event planning and fundraising. Some participants also noted that career diversity is becoming an important area of public humanities leadership roles. However, participants shared that faculty have not been formally prepared for their public humanities roles, and, in turn, faculty have not been prepared to teach graduate students for public humanities or career diversity. How do faculty prepare students for opportunities when they do not feel prepared for those same opportunities? This piece offers answers to that question.

Work-integrated learning in the humanities, arts and social sciences: where to from here?

ABSTRACT Amidst increasing pressures on Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) disciplines regarding graduate career readiness, this study examines HASS student participation in work-integrated learning (WIL) and its impacts on employability and short-term employment outcomes, using data from the Australian Graduate Outcomes Survey from 2020 to 2023. The research examined the extent of participation across WIL types (work-based, non-workplace and global) and its influence on graduates’ perceived employability and employment outcomes (full-time employment and perceived overqualification), while investigating demographic differences using descriptive analysis and logistic regression models. Results indicated rising WIL participation yet identified disparities by activity type and among student groups. Work-based WIL (e.g. internships) was the most effective type for enhancing employability and facilitating transitions into professional roles and work aligned to degree study. Non-workplace WIL (e.g. projects), while beneficial for skill development, showed limited impact on immediate employment outcomes and there was relatively low participation in global WIL (e.g. industry study tours) across all discipline groups. The study illuminates the need for more inclusive WIL programmes and flexible models to accommodate diverse student needs. Recommendations for HASS faculties include integrating career development learning, optimising industry engagement and providing targeted support for underrepresented groups. By aligning WIL experiences with emerging labour market opportunities, HASS faculties can prepare graduates for successful careers, addressing both individual aspirations and broader economic needs. Future research regarding WIL in HASS could focus on postgraduate participation and industry perspectives on scaling programmes to ensure initiatives effectively bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice.

Overeducation under different macroeconomic conditions: How Spanish university graduates fit in the labor market?

This paper analyzes a relevant issue for education and labor policymakers, overeducation in the early careers of university graduates. Using Spanish data, we investigate the role played by the business cycle and field of study and their interaction in shaping both the incidence and persistence of overeducation. We also analyze the relevance of specific types of knowledge and skills as driving factors in reducing overeducation risk. Our data come from the Survey on the Labor Insertion of University Graduates (EILU) conducted by the Spanish National Statistics Institute in 2014 and 2019. The survey collects rich information on cohorts that graduated in 2019 and 2014, during the Great Recession and the subsequent economic recovery, respectively. Our results show, first, the relevance of the economic scenario when graduates enter the labor market. Graduation during a recession increases overeducation risk and persistence. Second, a clear heterogeneous pattern is observed across fields of study, with health sciences graduates displaying better performance in terms of both overeducation incidence and persistence and less impact of the business cycle. Third, we find evidence that some transversal skills can help to reduce overeducation risk in the absence of specific knowledge required for the job, thus indicating some kind of compensatory role. Our findings have important policy implications. Overeducation, and more importantly overeducation persistence, imply a non-neglectable misallocation of resources, with serious consequences not only for the affected individuals but for the society as a whole. Therefore, policymakers need to address this issue in the design of education and labor market policies, seeking to ensure that the competencies acquired at university provide graduates with a better fit in the labor market.

Problems and prospects for employment of young Russian teachers

The article raises the problems related to the peculiarities of building a professional career of graduates with pedagogical education. Despite the constant demand in the labor market, educational organizations are in a situation of chronic shortage of teaching staff. The aim of the article is to analyze the difficulties and challenges faced by young teachers not only during employment, but also during the period of adaptation in an educational institution. Based on a large array of statistical data, as well as sociological studies conducted by the research teams of Institute of Sociology of FCTAS RAS and RSUH, risk factors and channels of leaving the labor market of young teachers-professionals shown. The article poses, firstly, the problem of insufficiently meaningful choice and, as a consequence, motivation of future teachers during their enrollment in the university, the formation of “professional ballast” of students unmotivated for the profession of teacher. Secondly, the problem of lack of necessary vacancies, insufficient salary, uncomfortable working conditions. Thirdly, the problem of adaptation to work in an educational institution: the lack of stress resistance, professionalism, communication competence, responsibility and initiative. It is concluded that in order to attract young teachers to schools it is necessary to take thoughtful measures to retain motivated people in the profession, starting from the university stage and ending with the creation of favorable conditions for their career development in the workplace.

Modeling when and how physics Ph.D. students search for a research group: The role of interests and prior research experiences in timely group integration

Studying the factors that influence the quality of physics Ph.D. students’ doctoral experiences, especially those that motivate them to stay or leave their programs, is critical for providing them with more holistic and equitable support. Prior literature on doctoral attrition has found that students with clear research interests who establish an advisor-advisee relationship early in their graduate careers are most likely to persist. However, these trends have not been investigated in the context of physics, and the underlying reasons for why these characteristics are associated with leaving remain unstudied. Using semistructured interviews with 40 first and second year physics Ph.D. students, we construct a model describing the characteristic pathways that physics Ph.D. students take while evaluating the interest congruence of prospective research groups. We show how access to undergraduate research and other formative experiences helped some students narrow their interests and look for research groups before arriving at graduate school. In turn, these students reported fewer difficulties finding a group than students whose search for an advisor took place during the first year of their Ph.D. Finally, we identify two characteristic types of students at a higher risk of leaving their programs: students who enter graduate school with broad interests and struggle to find a group and students who join a research group early based on research interest alone and subsequently encounter issues with a negative mentoring relationship. This work serves as a major step toward creating a comprehensive model of how Ph.D. students find a research group and opens the door for future work to investigate how factors such as group culture and working environment impact the search process. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

The dynamics of the early career gender wage gap among university graduates: The case of Russia

AbstractThis study provides new evidence of the gender wage gap among recent university graduates at different stages of their early career. Using a unique administrative dataset from Russia, we estimate the gender wage gap at means and across wage distribution for a cohort of 2018 university graduates during the first 4 years after graduation. We explore the contribution of educational and job factors to the explanation of the gap. Although a substantial gap of 14% is already present at labour market entry, it is two times smaller compared to the gap for the overall working population. Eighty five percent of the entry wage gap can be explained with differences in fields of study, work experience, and job characteristics. More than 4 years after graduation, the gender wage gap experiences a dramatic increase, reaching 26%. Only 28% of the resulting gap can be explained by the observed characteristics, including industrial and occupational segregation. The size of the gap varies drastically in different parts of the wage distribution, suggesting the existence of a strong glass ceiling effect from the very beginning of graduate careers. The rapidly expanding early career gender wage gap with a growing unexplained component suggests that education policies may have limited ability to promote gender equality in the labour market.

Financial Stress and Sustainable Start to Graduate Careers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Financial Stress and Sustainable Start to Graduate Careers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Fostering Resilience in Palestinian Higher Education: Strategies for Effective Management and Progressive Transformation

This research explores how Palestinian universities have shown resilience and implemented strategies to overcome challenges caused by the occupation. It delves into the leadership-led reforms in engineering, law, and medicine within these institutions through in-depth interviews with program deans. The study highlights how faculty members adjust curricula, teaching techniques, and program frameworks to tackle obstacles and address changing needs. Key strategies identified for resilience include flexibility, investment in staff development, fostering international partnerships, and effective management practices. Progress in achieving gender equality and the successful global careers of graduates are noted as signs of effective management. By embracing pedagogy and community involvement, these universities demonstrate the power of higher education in conflict zones. They navigate adversity by encouraging critical thinking and social accountability, showcasing the potential for education to drive change during times of conflict. The insights gained from this research offer lessons for institutions confronting similar sociopolitical challenges while emphasizing the significance of resilience, adaptability, and effective management during crises.

Qualitative evaluation of a multidisciplinary master of cancer sciences: impacts on graduates and influencing curricular factors

BackgroundEvaluations of continuing professional development programs typically focus on short-term knowledge and skill acquisition. There is a need for more comprehensive program evaluation methods that assess a broader range of impacts and can elicit how and why these outcomes occurred. We conducted a qualitative study to investigate the impacts of a multidisciplinary, online health professional postgraduate degree and to gain insights into the factors that led to these impacts.MethodsParticipants were graduates of the University of Melbourne’s Master of Cancer Sciences who could participate in an online interview. Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted exploring a broad range of impacts, including changes in professional practice and career trajectory since graduation, and how the degree influenced these impacts. Data were analysed inductively.ResultsFifteen participants (female: 80%, 31–50 years old: 67%) from a range of professions were interviewed. A number of major themes were uncovered. Impacts on career trajectory included expanded career horizons (e.g. increased role diversity and complexity), and increased confidence in their professional identity. Impacts on professional practice included individual improvements in patient care and research, as well as changes in organisational practice. Factors identified as leading to these impacts were: (i) active, interactive and interprofessional learning; (ii) networking, informal mentoring, and role-modelling; and (iii) support at multiple levels.ConclusionThis study provides preliminary evidence of the positive impact of a Master of Cancer Sciences on graduate career trajectory and professional practice. In addition, the inductive methodology enabled identification of the curricular features (both planned and emergent) that influenced these impacts, facilitating potential transferability of learnings to other teaching programs.

Pengaruh Pemasaran Media Sosial Dan Persepsi Calon Mahasiswa Terhadap Keputusan Pemilihan Perguruan Tinggi

This study aims to analyze the impact of social media marketing strategies and prospective students' perceptions on their decision-making process in choosing an educational institution. The research employs a quantitative approach. Data was collected through questionnaires distributed to 50 purposively selected respondents, specifically prospective students considering Institut Teknologi Del as their higher education option. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to process the collected data, examining the causal relationship between the independent variables (social media marketing and perception) and the dependent variable (college selection decision).The findings indicate that effective social media marketing strategies and positive perceptions among prospective students significantly influence their decision to choose a higher education institution. The results reveal that improving the quality and reach of social media marketing, as well as fostering positive perceptions about the institution—such as academic quality, facilities, and graduate career prospects—can increase prospective students' interest in selecting Institut Teknologi Del as their place of study.

Certification issues in training economic personnel for AIC

The goal is to analyze literary sources interpreting the term “certification” and develop recommendations aimed at professional growth and career of graduates of agricultural universities. Methods – comparisons, generalizations. Results – the essence of the concept of “certification” is revealed. The role of this process for students of Kazakh universities is shown in view of development of agricultural economy in the republic, taking into account such principles as economic orientation, internationalization, transformation and autonomy in modern conditions, characterized by the formation of competitive environment focused on meeting the needs of labor market. The main requirements and trends related to organization of certification in this industry, set out in the relevant government documents (concepts, regulations, etc.), are presented. The example of M. Kozybaev North Kazakhstan University, in which Certification Training Center has been opened to train students in 1C software products, with further expansion of employment opportunities and promotion prospects for graduates of economic educational programs based on application of digital competencies in the field of accounting (accounting in agricultural enterprise). Mastering these disciplines will provide solid knowledge and allow students to successfully pass the qualifying exam and subsequently receive the “1C: PROFESSIONAL” certificate. Statistics on the work of the Center, the number of trained students who received certificates and jobs at enterprises in agricultural sector are presented. The authors note that certification is one of the most important areas of activity of any university, which helps a young specialist to be effective and successful in agricultural market for job vacancies. Conclusions – gaining of knowledge on the basis of non-formal education will contribute to the effective implementation of the 3L concept in employment in various sectors of economy and provision of competitive personnel.

TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS CAREER OPTION AFTER BDS AMONGST INTERNEES IN WEST BENGAL : AN ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE STUDY

Introduction: A Graduates career is the course of action they pursue to fulfill their intended employment . The journey from the hallowed halls of dental education to the dynamic realm of professional practice marks a critical juncture in the lives of dental internees. As these individuals transition from the theoretical foundations of their Bachelor of Dental Surgery education to the practical landscape of dentistry, their knowledge and attitudes towards career options become pivotal. Apart from traditional career paths such as private dental practice or working in hospitals there are several alternative and less-known career options that BDS graduates can explore which are yet to be saturated. Before choosing any alternative career path, its essential for BDS graduates to gain additional qualifications or certifications, if required, and network with professionals in their chosen field of interest, for which a tailored support system and guidance program is essential. This study endeavours to explore the multifaceted aspects of the knowledge and attitudes held by dental internees in West Bengal, India, concerning their career choices post-BDS. Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude toward career option after BDS amongst internees in west Bengal. Material And Method: The study will be conducted among 200 Internees from various dental colleges across West Bengal. For the study a standardized Questionnaire consisting of 12 questions will be formulated in Google Form format and link will be circulated to the Participants. Statistical Analysis: The statistics was generated by Google Forms and tabulated accordingly. Conclusion: By giving students the information and tools they require to make wise career decisions, we can produce a new heneration of dental professionals who are not only clinically skilled but also well-suited to succeed in a variety of professional environments.

Absence & presence: The six racism-in-education-processes (‘the 6 REP’)

This article aims to explore the ways in which racial inequity in England education affects resilient minority (ReM) – that is, racially minoritised – students. Scholars argue racism simultaneously produces and normalises the lack of opportunities given to ReM students, shown within six key processes: (i) pre-university educational attainment, (ii) university application choices, (iii) university admissions process, (iv) degree completion and achievement, (v) graduate career prospects, and (vi) the racialised student experience. Each of these processes afford opportunity but are vulnerable to external factors (e.g. race and gender), thus students’ futures are ultimately constrained to uncontrollable aspects of their being. This is because racism manifests in both overt and covert ways leading administrators to believe a colour-blind and meritocratic system is beneficial for students, in turn creating deficit narratives. Thus, the author has called these stages the six Racism-in-Education-Processes (6 REP). Research has highlighted the impact of these processes, but few have amalgamated them altogether. Therefore, this paper deploys existing literature and the author’s theses using a Critical Race Theory analysis to critically examine the 6 REPs impact on Black African England students, to illustrate the absence of racial equity leads to the presence of racism.

The dynamics of employability capitals for the transition to work: career identity, cultural capital, job interview self-efficacy and self-perceived employability

Purpose This study aims to understand how employability capitals’ dynamics foster self-perceived employability (SPE) among students and graduates, which is still being empirically explored. Building upon the Employability Capital Growth Model and the Social Cognitive Career Theory’s career self-management model, we aimed to understand how different capitals associate by testing a serial mediation model connecting career identity (reflecting career identity capital) and SPE through the serial mediation of cultural capital and job interview self-efficacy (ISE) (an element of psychological capital).Design/methodology/approach We adopted a two-wave design involving 227 Italian University students and graduates. We recruited participants through multi-channel communication. The hypothesised relationships were analysed employing the structural equation modelling approach with the SPSS AMOS statistical package.Findings The results indicated that career identity, cultural capital, ISE and SPE are meaningfully related. In particular, in line with our expectations, we observed that career identity predicts cultural capital, which is positively associated with ISE which, ultimately, impacts SPE.Originality/value Our work adds to existing research by advancing the understanding of employability capitals, explaining how they interact and influence SPE, which is crucial for a sustainable transition into the workforce. At a practical level, our findings call upon, and guide, efforts from various stakeholders in the graduate career ecosystem (i.e. universities and their partners) to offer students and graduates meaningful experiences to form and use their employability capitals.

AN EMPLOYABILITY TRACER STUDY OF SECONDARY EDUCATION –MATHEMATICS GRADUATES FROM 2022 TO 2023

This graduate tracer study investigated the employment outcomes and career trajectories of graduates from the Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Mathematics program at Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences, and Technology during the academic years 2022 to 2023. The study, based on survey responses from all 49 graduates, explored demographic characteristics, employment status, income levels, relevance of education to employment, work attitudes, and skills development. Findings revealed that most graduates were female, single, and aged between 20 to 25 years. While most graduates were employed, a significant portion remained unemployed, with a notable percentage engaged in non-teaching roles. Despite this, a substantial proportion of graduates found their college degree highly relevant to their current work. The study indicated a high level of work attitude among graduates and underscored the institutions provision of quality education and effective skills development. The employment rate stood at 73.5%, indicating a favorable outcome for many graduates. However, recommendations were proposed to address areas of concern, including the establishment of a graduate employability coordinator, offering training for graduates in non-teaching roles, enhancing technical and entrepreneurial skills through specialized workshops and partnerships, and strengthening industry partnerships to expedite job placement. Overall, the study highlighted the strengths and areas for improvement in preparing mathematics graduates for the workforce, providing valuable insights for the institution to enhance its support for graduates career development. KEYWORDS: Tracer Study, Mathematics Graduates, Teacher Education

2137: The impact of an Oncology Masters degree on graduate career trajectory and professional practice

2137: The impact of an Oncology Masters degree on graduate career trajectory and professional practice

Career paths of a university’s pharmacy graduates over 15 years: a cross-sectional evaluation

Abstract Introduction The versatility of a pharmacy degree has evolved over time. Expanding opportunities have emerged for employment in sectors outside those usually associated with the degree. A paucity of international literature evaluating pharmacy graduate career paths over an extended period is apparent – research which could enhance workforce capacity planning. Aim To evaluate trends in graduate career paths from a pharmacy school in Ireland over a fifteen-year period and assess graduate satisfaction with their career path and pharmacy programme. Methods This study utilised a multi-method approach to access graduate career data, using an online survey and publicly accessible information from LinkedIn® profiles. The survey, comprising both Likert scale and multiple-choice questions, was distributed to all the university’s pharmacy graduates from 2007 to 2022. Data from both methods were combined, cross-checked, coded, and analysed quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics – whereby p<0.05 denotes statistical significance. Results Data were obtained on 556/798 pharmacy graduates (69.7%), comprising 203 survey responses (25.4% response rate) and 353 LinkedIn profiles. Community pharmacy was the most common current employment sector (47.7%), followed by industry (21.5%), hospital (17.7%), and academia (6.1%). The percentage working in patient-facing settings ranged from 79.5% (2022) to 36.7% (2010). More recent graduates (≤5 years post-graduation) were significantly more likely (p<0.05) to work in a patient-facing role versus those who graduated >5 years ago (Figure 1). Over half of graduates not primarily working in community pharmacy (61.1%) had previously held a full-time community pharmacist role. Post-graduate education was undertaken by 41.3% of graduates, with the lowest uptake amongst community pharmacists (13.7%). Overall, career satisfaction from the survey was high (88.2%) although significantly lower for those in patient-facing (82%) versus non-patient-facing roles (97.5%). Satisfaction with the pharmacy degree programme was high (84.7%). Conclusion While limited to data from one pharmacy school, this study provides the first analysis of graduate career paths over an extended period and highlights the wide-ranging professional possibilities available to graduates. Furthermore, this represents a springboard for additional research to inform pharmacist workforce planning worldwide through career-path evaluation – ultimately aiming to avoid potentially significant implications of shortages in the patient-facing pharmacy workforce.

Intrapreneurial ecosystems in academia and their overlooked outputs: Graduate employability and wellbeing

The aim of this paper is dual: a) to elaborate a systemic concept of intrapreneurship in academia which will be reflective of complexities and idiosyncrasies of the University as a multi-mission multi-function organisation; and b) to empirically test this concept in the context of relatively neglected outputs of academic intrapreneurship such as graduate employability and graduate wellbeing. Guided by an intrapreneurial ecosystem framework, our analysis is based on a combination of administrative and survey panel data for 141 UK higher education institutions. We arrive at several contributing findings. These suggest that the intrapreneurial ecosystem within academia is increasingly predisposed towards enhancing the quality of graduate outcomes rather than simply promoting raw measures such as graduate jobs or the number of graduate start-ups. Furthermore, we reveal the critical role of University national stakeholder networks for graduate career satisfaction, start-up generation, and undergraduate employment. Finally, our empirical exercise and its results demonstrate the practical value of the proposed concept of the intrapreneurial ecosystem for University management and practitioners, not least because it systematically identifies areas for an immediate, medium- and long-term action.

Guide to Graduate Career Pathways

Guide to Graduate Career Pathways

Exploring career choices of pharmacy graduates over 15 years: A cross-sectional evaluation

IntroductionCareer opportunities for pharmacists beyond those commonly associated with the degree continue to emerge. A paucity of literature regarding evaluation of pharmacy graduate career paths over extended periods is apparent. Considering international pharmacy workforce capacity pressures, the primary study aim was to evaluate trends in career paths of pharmacy graduates. MethodsThis study utilised a multimethod approach to access graduate career data using publicly accessible information from LinkedIn® profiles and an online survey. The survey was distributed to all pharmacy graduates of a university (2007–2022). Data from both methods was combined, cross-checked, coded and analysed quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics. ResultsData from 69.7% of the university's pharmacy graduates was collected. Community pharmacy was the most prevalent employment sector (47.7%), followed by industry (21.5%) and hospital (17.7%). A higher proportion of more recent graduates (≤5 years post-graduation) work in a community or hospital pharmacy role versus those who graduated greater than five years ago (χ2 = 8.44, df = 2, p < 0.05). Post-graduate education was undertaken by 41.3% of graduates. Career satisfaction was high (88.2%) but was lower (χ2 = 11.31, df = 1, p < 0.05) for those in community and hospital (82%) versus other sectors (97.5%). ConclusionThis study provides the first analysis of graduate career paths over an extended period, highlighting a novel approach to track pharmacist workforce. While almost two thirds of pharmacy graduates occupy community or hospital roles, a trend of leaving these settings five years post-graduation was evident. Accordingly, this work represents a springboard for additional research to inform future pharmacist workforce planning worldwide.