Job Market Research Articles

Re-imagining Librarianship: An Observation of Job Advertisements for Librarian Positions in the US

In the current artificial intelligence (AI) and post-pandemic era, libraries are compelled to accelerate digitalization and automation (Nugroho et al., 2023; Pressreader Team, 2023). Revisiting the core values of librarianship is critical to understanding the opportunities and challenges for libraries and librarians in this trend. Advertisements define, convey, and uphold ideologies by including specific ideas and excluding others (McIntosh & Cuklanz, 2014). Job advertisements for librarian positions, therefore, are designed to convey the values of librarianship in the United States. The study aims to identify the values by answering the following research questions: (1) How do libraries describe themselves in job advertisements? (2) How do libraries describe ideal librarians in job advertisements? Between February 15 and March 15, 2023, we collected job advertisements for librarian positions in the US on ALA JobLIST and Indeed. We will use a qualitative research design to analyze the data. The codes are generated from the core values of librarianship, including sustainability, service, intellectual freedom, literacy and learning, equity of access, privacy, democracy, and public good (American Library Association [ALA], 2024; Gorman, 2015). By investigating the values embedded in library job advertisements, we reflect on what core values of librarianship affirm professionalization in social transformation and whether new principles need to be added to the core values. The study also responds to the burnt-out among librarians by emphasizing the boundaries of librarianship. Additionally, it offers insights into Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) programs on how to prepare future librarians for the job market.

Exploring Employee Satisfaction, Feedback, and Retention: The Impact of Workplace Support and Alignment

Any firm must prioritize employee retention if it is to survive and grow its workforce in the current cutthroat job market. The paper's main objective is to concentrate on The Well-being of the personnel in the business and their retention in the organization. This review paper offersa thorough analysis of the subject at hand. The difficulties in balancing work and life in the modern world are discussed in the paper. It also discusses the significance of retention and well-being in the workplace and how much emphasis should be placed on them by a business.

Developing a Competitive Edge: Building an Effective Portfolio in Snowflake and Teradata Data Engineering

This article examines the critical components of an effective portfolio for data engineering professionals specializing in Snowflake and Teradata platforms. As the data landscape evolves, the ability to showcase practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge has become paramount for career advancement. Through an analysis of industry trends and expert interviews, we identify key elements that contribute to a compelling portfolio, including project showcases demonstrating complex problem-solving, relevant certifications, and evidence of continuous learning. The article highlights the importance of balancing technical proficiency in SQL, data warehousing, and cloud technologies with strong documentation and communication skills. Our findings suggest that a well-curated portfolio not only validates a candidate's expertise but also provides tangible evidence of their ability to navigate the challenges of modern data ecosystems. This article provides a framework for data engineers to construct portfolios that effectively demonstrate their capabilities, potentially increasing their competitiveness in the job market and facilitating career growth in the rapidly evolving field of data engineering.

The Role of Media Education in Qualification of Students for Media Work Market (Survey Study)

This research aims to identify the role of media education in qualifying students for the media job market. And investigating the role of media education in developing media talents among media students in universities and government institutes in the Kurdistan Region - Iraq. For its type of descriptive study, the research relied on a sample survey method for the community of graduates of media departments in universities and government institutes. The sample was drawn from the original research community in a non-random, intentional manner. The total number of respondents included (134) media graduates from all governorates of the region. Among the most important findings of the research: The results showed a positive role for media education in qualifying students for the media work market in universities, technical and governmental academic institutes in the Kurdistan Region - Iraq, and a somewhat negative role, related to the lack of availability of media departments with the necessary equipment and applied means for producing media work.

The Impact of Minimum Wage System on Low-Income Groups

The minimum wage system sets a legal floor on the income of workers. It provides economic security for low-wage workers and ensures that their basic needs are met, thereby reducing poverty. For low-income workers, increasing the minimum wage directly enhances their earnings, living standards, and financial stability. As a research focus, the primary area of examination would be the precise effect of minimum wage adjustments on the income levels of those in low-paying jobs: analyze the changes in the real income of low-income workers after the augement of minimum salary and the improvement influence of family economic conditions. Second one is exploring the impact on this system changes employment sector: Examine whether raising the minimum wage causes employers that reduce hiring or layoffs, and the potential impact of such changes on low-skilled labor markets. The last one is analyzing the impacts of minimum wage policies of psychological and low-income groups’ social wellbeing: Using questionnaires to understand changes in the perception of low-income workers about their job satisfaction, quality of life, and social status. The rise in this system significantly rose the income level of low-income workers, helped to alleviate poverty, and raised the basic standard of living of these families. In the short term, that increase may have a certain negative impact on some labor-intensive industries, in the form of a small number of job losses; But over the longer term, the job market stabilizes as companies adapt to increased costs and improve efficiency through technological innovation.

NETWORK FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS: EXPLORING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AS A POSSIBLE PATH

This chapter examines the intersection of vocational education and network entrepreneurship, focusing on how the “S” System in Brazil facilitates connections between students and the job market, with particular emphasis on the role of the National Commercial Apprenticeship Service (Senac). The aim is to investigate how vocational education can contribute to building entrepreneurial networks and enhance connectivity between students and the market. The methodology adopted involves an exploratory approach, focusing on literature research and case analysis, aimed at understanding the strategies and programs implemented by the institution under study. Regarding the theoretical background: Castells (2022); Law No. 9,841/1999, which establishes the Microenterprise and Small Business Statute and provides for differentiated, simplified, and favored legal treatment; Arruda (2017), among others. As discussed more comprehensively in the final considerations, we can highlight the significant contribution of Vocational Education not only in developing relevant skills for individuals both personally and professionally, but also in promoting social inclusion and facilitating students' access to professional networks and business opportunities. This underscores the vital role of public policies and educational initiatives focused on entrepreneurship as a strengthening agent within the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

How Important are Employability Skills to Business Students?

Research has indicated that educational institutions and the job market are facing many challenges, one being the required employability skills of graduates upon recruitment. This study aimed to explore how important employability skills are to business students. The research method used a sample of 123 questionnaires and 20 interviews of business students from one Saudi Arabian university. The main findings indicated that the participants considered all the mentioned employability skills highly to very highly important according to the students’ academic year and choice of future job but with no significant differences. However, Sophomore year students indicated a high positive significant difference in considering leadership as the most important skill over their junior and senior year counterparts. The findings further indicated the communication and leadership skills of high importance which contradicts the findings in the literature where life-long learning, tolerance, and language skills are considered of high importance. Additionally, the interview responses showed insufficient knowledge on the part of the students to develop their own skills to meet the market needs and maintain sustainable employment. Implications of the present study show that there is a need for urgent collaboration between educational institutions and job markets to identify, orient, and train students in needed employability skills. Future research on matching stakeholders’ employability skills is recommended.

A study on the impact of career planning on employability among college students in Hebei Province, China

With the deepening of educational reform in China, higher education has shifted from elite education to mass education, that leading to an annual increase in the number of graduates. However, many college students lack the corresponding competitiveness in the job market. Therefore, enhancing the employability of college students to increase competitiveness has become crucial. Drawing on the Career EDGE employability model as the theoretical framework, this study explores the impact of career planning on employability among college students, with learning attitude as a mediating variable. Through convenient sampling of college students in Hebei Province, China, 430 valid questionnaires were used to empirically test the theoretical hypothesis model. The results indicate that career planning has a direct impact on employability, and learning attitude also has a direct impact on employability. After incorporating learning attitude as a mediating variable, it was found to partially mediate the relationship between career planning and employability.

Unveiling the impact of school organizational justice on students’ professional commitment through academic stress mediation

Accurately understanding the critical elements influencing college students’ professional commitment is both an urgent practical requirement and a critical theoretical proposition in today’s intensely competitive job market. In order to provide new light on career development in the context of higher education, this study intends to investigate the complex interactions among college students between perceived organizational justice, academic stress, and professional commitment. Using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and structural equation modeling, we carried out a thorough investigation of H University’s full-time undergraduate students in Central China in order to thoroughly examine our hypothesis. The results show that students’ professional commitment is much lower when they view organizational justice to be lacking, and that there is a partial mediating role for academic stress in this relationship. Interestingly, organizational justice has a positive correlation with professional commitment and a negative correlation with academic stress. These findings provide educators and policymakers with insightful information, indicating that, in an increasingly competitive labor market, professional commitment is largely dependent on students’ ability to manage their academic stress and develop a sense of organizational justice. This study adds a new understanding of career development in higher education settings by merging professional commitment research with organizational justice theory. It also has significant implications for educational practices and career support measures.

Benefits and Objectives of ECVET Implementation in Bulgaria: an Empirical Study

The comprehensive analysis presented in this article examines the potential positive effects of complete ECVET implementation in Bulgaria, aligning with the European guidelines established by CEDEFOP. By focusing on a diverse range of topics, the report offers valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to enhance the quality and relevance of VET in Bulgaria. Despite the potential benefits of ECVET, its implementation in Bulgarian vocational education has not yet been realized and lacks a comprehensive credit system for credit exchange within both secondary and higher vocational education. Consequently, the development of an effective ECVET implementation system, including a robust assessment framework, remains an ongoing challenge. ECVET is poised to support learners in Bulgaria across several key dimensions. Its ability to foster adaptability, practical skill acquisition, and alternative learning strategies equip learners with the competencies necessary to thrive in today’s dynamic job market. Moreover, ECVET promotes the development of organizational skills, facilitates informed career choices, and accelerates professional implementation. The successful implementation of ECVET necessitates a concerted effort from various stakeholders, including VET institutions, employers, and learners. By embracing ECVET, Bulgaria can significantly improve the quality and relevance of its VET systems, better prepare learners for the workforce, and stimulate economic growth. Ultimately, ECVET contributes to learners’ personal satisfaction, self-esteem, and shorter paths to the labor market. These benefits underscore the transformative potential of ECVET in enhancing the educational experience and career prospects of learners in Bulgaria.

Collaborative Models for Community-Driven Industrial Education: Enhancing Workforce Development Through Partnership Programs in Malaysia

This study analyses the value of collaborative education strategies for improving workforce development in Malaysia, focusing on collaborations between educational institutions and industry. In recent years, the Malaysian job market has experienced major challenges, especially in terms of graduate preparation for employment. Many graduates struggle due to inadequate skills and limited employment opportunities, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive educational changes. These coordinated activities aim to bridge the education-industry divide by developing connections between academia and the business sector. Moreover, the study uses a qualitative approach, conducting in-depth interviews with industry managers to understand better the impact of partnership programs, government support, and community participation on workforce readiness. Through these interviews, the study emphasizes the importance of collaborative education in providing graduates with the skills and competencies they need to succeed in a competitive work market. The findings show that, while these collaborations significantly boost graduates' employability and skill sets, issues such as unequal access to opportunities and an overreliance on government assistance remain. Furthermore, the analysis discovers gaps in the available literature, particularly in the context of Malaysia, emphasizing the need for further research targeted to this environment. Future research directions will include empirical investigations to quantify the impact of collaborative education initiatives, quantitative analyses to evaluate the efficacy of various programs, and policy recommendations to improve Malaysia's workforce development and foster long-term economic growth. By addressing these issues, the study hopes to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how collaborative education may effectively bridge Malaysia’s skills gap.

The Digital Edge: Skills That Matter in the European Labour Market after COVID-19

Following the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the emphasis on digitization and robotization has grown at an unprecedented rate in the global economy, resulting in significant changes to the labour market composition and increasing the value of digital skills. The aim of this article is to emphasize the ways in which people’s digital abilities and appetite for online activities are connected to job productivity (salary levels) and to determine which individual internet-based digital skills are genuinely important and correlated with better wages. We employed a Principal Component Analysis (PCA-type factorial analysis) with orthogonal rotation to gain a general understanding of the main components that synthesize the digital capabilities of individuals from the European countries analyzed. We decreased the dimensionality of our initial dataset to two major components, namely comprehensive online skills and digital social and media skills, keeping more than 80% of the overall variability. We then evaluated the potential association between the two created components and the average hourly wages and salaries. Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have observed an important shift in the impact of digital and internet skills on the job market in Europe. Thus, the development of comprehensive internet skills is highly correlated with individuals’ more effective integration into the labour market in Europe in general and the EU in particular, evidenced by better wage and salary levels (r = 0.740, p < 0.001). On the other hand, we found no correlation between the possibility of obtaining higher salaries for employees and the second component, digital social and media skills. The novelty of our research lies in its specific focus on the unique and immediate impacts of the pandemic, the accelerated adoption of digital skills, the integration of comprehensive individual internet skills, and the use of the most recent data to understand the labour market’s characteristics. This new approach offers fresh insights into how Europe’s workforce could evolve in response to unprecedented challenges, making it distinct from previous studies of labour market skills.

Impacting factors and degree of influence on the selection of ICT subject in GCE Advanced Level

Education in Sri Lankan education focuses on accelerating the country’s knowledge economy by producing skilled and knowledgeable people who suit present-day needs. Moreover, society wants universities to produce graduates, and of course, those graduates must be employable. Meanwhile, job opportunity is guaranteed for job seekers skilled in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) nowadays. Thus, the Sri Lankan government introduced a new stream “Technology” in the year 2015 as an educational reform. The success level of this government initiative should be measured in an acceptable form for further improvements. The most productive way to measure success measuring the interest of students in ICT on GCE A/L, and the factors that influence it. This study was conducted to examine the factors fluencing ICT subject selection by GCE Advanced Level students and to find out the degree of influence of each factor. The coastal region area of Ampara district of Sri Lanka was covered as a sample population for our study. Data to find out the influencing factors were collected by having One on-One interviews with four categories of stakeholder groups, namely principals or deputy principals, teachers, students, and parents, and prepared a questionnaire with these factors and distributed among the A/L students from different schools to gather their opinions from 266 respondents to find out the degree of influence of factors using the convenience sampling technique. Later, the answers to the questionnaire were analyzed by a statistical data analysis tool which shows that the family income, awareness programme, other main subjects in A/L, and the results of mathematics, English, and ICT subjects in O/L are affecting the ICT subject selection in A/L, meanwhile the results says that gender, parents’ education, and previously followed ICT related courses are not having relations in A/L ICT subject selection, and it revealed the degree of top encouraging factors such job market, opportunities in higher education, and getting high z-score and discouraging factors such lack of resources available in the medium, having no relevancy with other main subjects, and lack of interest in IT.

Preparing graduates for the job market: A strength-based skill development approach

Orientation: The lack of skills, such as communication and teamwork among graduates, is a major concern for employers. Graduates should prioritise developing skills in demand for the evolving job market.Research purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the impressions of graduates regarding the skills they need to enter the job market and to develop and present a strength-based skills training programme for graduates in the South African labour market.Motivation for the study: Graduates can be equipped through a strength-based approach, which could assist them in applying their strengths to find employment in the South African labour market.Research design/approach and method: A qualitative research approach with a social constructivism paradigm was used. The participants were unemployed graduates, with a sample size of N = 10. Data was collected by using qualitative surveys captured on the QuestionPro platform. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.Main findings: The findings highlight the challenges faced by unemployed graduates. The participants reported feeling empowered by the training programme, helping them recognise and utilise their skills and strengths.Practical/managerial implications: The study highlighted that a strength-based training program for unemployed graduates could enhance the skills necessary for employment, such as self-awareness and emotional intelligence. A comprehensive understanding of the barriers to decent work is crucial for developing interventions to equip graduates for the labour market.Contribution/value-add: This research provides a basis for training and developing unemployed graduates from a strength-based perspective.

Paideia Patristic Education

The acquisition of soft skills is increasingly recognized as a crucial component of higher education, essential for preparing students to meet the challenges of the modern workforce. This study investigates the process of acquiring soft skills through Paideia Patristic Education (PPE) in universities in Machakos County, Kenya. This quantitative study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the PPE framework in promoting key soft skills such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and flexibility. Purposive sampling technique was used to target specific faculty members and students. Data was collected using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. The study's results show that PPE has a positive effect on students' soft skills, particularly in enhancing their ability to work effectively in teams and collaborate. Universities in Machakos County and beyond should strongly consider incorporating Paideia Patristic Education principles into their curricula. This would help cultivate crucial soft skills in students, better equipping them for the challenges of the contemporary job market.

Artificial Intelligence in Digital Marketing: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Research Directions

Digital marketing has changed the way companies do business due to the widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI). AI has changed the way businesses talk to their customers by making it easier to create personalised content. Due to the industry’s growing research and development, it can be hard to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. A detailed literature review on AI in digital marketing looks at the research that has been done in this area. Additionally, the study stresses how important it is to investigate the moral effects of using AI in marketing. The focus of the study is on how AI affects privacy, fairness and accountability. The study says that marketers should focus on encouraging openness and giving users control over how AI technology is used. The study suggests that more research be done on how AI affects job loss and the job market. Bibliometric analysis for the last 10 years is done using the global research database. This research makes the case for doing research that uses ideas from different fields, such as marketing, computer science and social science. Researchers and industry practitioners who are interested in how AI and digital marketing work together can learn from this study.

Higher Agricultural Education: An Exploratory Study on Skill Gap of Students

The skill gap among higher education students has become a pressing concern in today's competitive job market, prompting the need for thorough assessment and targeted interventions. This study endeavours to quantify the extent of skill discrepancies among students in higher agricultural education. Through skill gap analysis, the aim is to gauge the shortfall in agricultural and professional competencies among young scholars, delineating the areas where skills are lacking or underdeveloped. By employing an exploratory research design, the study seeks to identify and address skill gaps effectively. The target respondents comprise students from IARI, University of Agricultural Sciences (Raichur), and Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, with a sample size of 150 selected to represent the population adequately. To construct the skill gap index, various dimensions including technical, personal, problem-solving, leadership, entrepreneurial, computer, and organizational skills were pretested. Data collection involved the utilization of questionnaires and in-person interviews to evaluate competency differences among students across the three agricultural universities. Statistical methods such as the Friedman test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test was employed to analyse the gathered data. The analysis found significant disparities in the overall skill levels of students. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to bridge the identified skill gaps effectively. By illuminating areas of deficiency, this study provides valuable insights for enhancing the quality of agricultural education and fostering the development of well-rounded professionals equipped to tackle the challenges of the agricultural sector.

Factors Influencing the Perceived Employability among University Students

The global economic turmoil and the employability gap among university students have created a challenging job market for graduates. It is crucial to understand the factors that shape students' perceived employability and to implement effective measures to address this serious issue. A literature review was conducted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing perceived employability among university students, focusing on research findings published since 2021. The present study indicates that numerous factors, including individual, behavioural, and environmental variables, significantly influence perceived employability among university students. Besides, previous research has diverged on specific factors such as demographics, partial components of personality traits, career engagement, political skills, and labour market situation, which need to be further investigated in the future. Furthermore, this study underscores the crucial significance of perceived employability among university students in a challenging job market. It validates the relevance of Career Construction Theory in interpreting perceived employability among university students and improves researchers' understanding of how perceived employability has evolved before and after the pandemic. Most importantly, this study develops an integrated model of the factors influencing the perceived employability among university students, which can serve as a guide for future researchers to study university students' employment issues and navigate the career practices of stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education, universities, university students, employers, and career practitioners.

Educational and Career Trajectories in Russia: Introducing a New Source and Datasets with a High Granularity

Abstract Studying Russian society is challenging, especially during the period of the Russian military invasion. However, it takes on special significance during a period of economic and social transformation. Studying the career and educational trajectories of Russians in the context of East Studies offers a multifaceted perspective on the state of the job market and education sector and gives an understanding of the current situation of the country’s economy and social structure. The lack of data with a high level of granularity is critical, especially for studying people with a focus on their career and educational trajectories. In this article, the authors respond to this request and present two datasets that can be useful for studying spatial and temporal patterns associated with people’s life trajectories in the context of work and education. The authors utilised open data on cv s created or updated by employment portal users over the period 2015–2023 from the Federal Service for Labor and Employment (Rostrud) and prepared two cleaned datasets covering 83 regions of Russia. Dataset 1 is on the educational and career trajectories (N = 6,221,439) and Dataset 2 is on the activity of unemployed and job-seeking candidates (N = 7,662,089).

Development of human capital in Kazakhstan’s higher education institutions: financial investments, faculty qualifications, and research output (2018–2022)

This study examines the development of human capital in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Kazakhstan from 2018 to 2022, focusing on financial investments, infrastructure support, faculty qualifications, research output, and student outcomes. Utilizing comprehensive data from official sources, the analysis reveals significant growth in financial commitment to higher education, with substantial increases in expenditures, revenues, and investments in educational infrastructure. The data indicate a diverse and increasingly qualified faculty, though gender imbalances persist at senior academic levels. Research output, as measured by publications indexed in Scopus, has shown consistent growth, reflecting enhanced research productivity. Student performance metrics, including graduation rates and employment outcomes, highlight the effective preparation of graduates for the job market, with rising average salaries and employment rates. Innovation activities within HEIs, such as patent applications and trademark registrations, demonstrate a dynamic but variable landscape. The study identifies key areas for improvement, including the need for sustained investment, policies promoting gender equality in academia, and support for innovation activities. The findings underscore the importance of aligning educational programs with market needs to further improve graduate employability. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and educational leaders to enhance the quality and competitiveness of higher education in Kazakhstan, contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.