Graduate development programmes have increasingly become part of South African businesses in order to acquire and retain the best talent pool. However, there is a great need for research in this area in South Africa. The current research study is a replica of McDermott et al’s (2006) Irish study, contrasting organisations that have a graduate development programme in place against those that do not. The current study was undertaken to assess satisfaction levels of graduate development programmes from a sample of graduates (N=63) from two large South African retail organisations. A survey questionnaire was administered and four interviews were conducted with the graduates. The findings of the research indicate that graduates, who have been part of a graduate development programme for 13 months or longer, showed dissatisfaction. Many attributed this dissatisfaction to non-recognition for the job, a lack of feedback on their performance, inadequate responsibility with tasks, a lack of prospects for advancement, underdevelopment of competencies, poor salaries, supervisors not understanding their skills requirements for the job and poor job security. In addition, the following job features were viewed as important contributions that an employer can offer graduates: “stimulating and challenging work”, “good opportunities for advancement” and “good salary and benefits”. This research study also provides significant recommendations for organisations wanting to implement, or currently utilising, a graduate development programme / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

The increasing number of U.S. college students studying abroad raises policy concerns about student success at school and their future career development. Therefore, this dissertation revisited the education production function, built up a comprehensive conceptual framework, summarized empirical evidence reported in prior studies, conducted research that described the characteristics of U.S. students studying abroad and used quasi-experimental research methods (e.g., propensity score matching and instrumental variables) to study the impact of studying in a foreign country on students’ at-college learning outcomes and post-college labor market returns after graduation. This dissertation is composed of three chapters on the impact of the experience of study abroad on students’ academic achievements, global perspectives at college, and post-college labor market outcomes, respectively. In Chapter I, I examined the study abroad student population and the impact of this international experience on students’ academic achievements. Based on a random sample of college students from the National Survey of Student Engagement, I used a propensity score matching (PSM) approach and found some significant influence of study abroad on student grade point averages. I also identified heterogeneous effects of study abroad program design (e.g., duration, logistics, and curriculum). Chapter II was prompted by the rising public attention to global mindset. Based on data from the National Survey of Student Engagement, I generated an index of global perspectives and found a positive impact of studying abroad. Results suggested that such international exchange increased student global perspectives and intended to better prepare U.S. students with global perspectives in this increasingly global economy and interdependent world. Finally, Chapter III was inspired by the wide array of returns to education literature. Using a nationally representative sample of Bachelor’s degree recipients from the Baccalaureate and Beyond Survey, I examined private returns to education abroad and found that study-abroad alumni are hired more quickly after graduation with higher starting salaries, compared with those who did not have such international experiences. I also found variations across subpopulations and different parts of the earnings distribution. In addition, findings from the above three national representative samples consistently showed that the participation rate of African American students is notably lower than that of the other ethnic groups. The top majors for study abroad students are Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences. In contrast, Health majors are dramatically lower for this group. Natural Sciences, Business, and Engineering majors are slightly lower, but not remarkably so. The proportion attending private institutions in the study abroad group was also higher than the sample average. These results suggested that study abroad in college education has positive impacts on student outcomes: students with study abroad experiences do better in school and fare better in the job market. Therefore, policymakers and college administrators may need to invest more in study abroad programs and take steps to find ways (e.g., study abroad scholarships, peer advice, parental support) to extend international opportunities for more students, especially those demographics that are poorly represented in the study abroad population. Hopefully in the near future, instead of “Can I afford to study abroad?” students will ask: “Can I afford NOT to study abroad?”

No description available.

The study explored the domains of graduateness and employability at one polytechnic in Zimbabwe. The focus was on how instructional delivery strategies and assessment tools could embed domains of graduateness and employer expectations. A phenomenological research approach was used in conducting the study. This qualitative research paradigm allowed the research to take place in a natural setting which enabled a holistic picture and use of an inductive mode of inquiry through the researcher’s immersion in the research setting. Human capital, teaching methods and flexible training models, among others, emerged as major strengths in training. However, these key strengths were marred by unprofessional practices and limited resources. In assessment, proficiency schedules, trade testing and use of external assessors emerged as key strengths. Pertaining to the curriculum, it emerged that on paper, curriculum specifications and design for implementation appeared relevant to the production of a graduate exhibiting attributes of graduateness. It however emerged that there was need to revisit the hidden curriculum, as training was dependent on the availability of resources. The study proposes a framework for promoting graduateness and enhancing employability through creation of mutual partnerships to collectively develop a curriculum that is acceptable to institutions and industry. Moreover, graduateness domains should be enshrined in the curriculum. A need for strategic selection of teaching and assessment methods which promote critical thinking, interaction, decision making and retention of information was identified. Major recommendations are that institutions should align themselves with market demands and technological changes to ensure employability. Institutions should also prepare graduates for transition to the world of work, by rendering adequate preparation through teaming up with industry and the use of appropriate teaching methodology.

Thesis (MTech (Graphic Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / The aim of this study was to examine how students experience the transition from the classroom to the workplace. This research explored what factors students found problematic and which factors was helpful during the transition. This research was qualitative and this study focused on the experiences of the participants and all data was collected from their perception of work practice. I used Activity Theory as a theoretical framework to compile and organize relevant data. Data was gathered using video recordings, hand written journal entries and individual interviews. The research was conducted in an on-campus design studio that is situated within the Design Faculty at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The reason for choosing Design Logic as a site is the following; the studio sits neatly between the classroom and the workplace, although the studio is in a protected environment, most of the elements that are present in a real world setup is reflected within Design Logic i.e. the stresses of satisfying demanding clients, working with budgets, liaising with suppliers and the ever present looming deadlines all form part of the daily make-up of Design Logic. Although the starting point of the study was to search for the problem areas of the student’s transition into the work place, the analyzed data revealed the dissimilarities between the two systems and how the participants overcame the difference i.e. shifting identities and rules and norms to develop new skills suited for the work place. The workspace opened a Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and highlighted the value and importance of work practice in preparation of graduates for industry.

There is much to be said about the use of social capital in the job search patterns of graduates, however, little is researched on the use of social capital as a job search strategy. Despite the years of research that acknowledges the critical role social capital plays in determining job search outcomes, little to no research has been done to specifically understand the different ways in which graduates utilize their social capital (family, friends and acquaintances) to look for work. Human capital theory posits that education is the greatest determinant of employment in a labour market system that that awards educational credentials with occupational attainment. However, the reality is that a large number of Zambian graduates are jobless despite being educated. This study, therefore seeks to analyse the high levels of graduate unemployment from lternative theories of social capital and the job search. Knowing the different ways social capital expresses itself in graduate job search patterns provides possible solutions and a different perspective to addressing the high levels of graduate unemployment in Zambia. This study adopted a qualitative case study research design and made use of the snow ball sampling approach. Fifteen semistructured interviews were conducted and findings and emerging themes analysed in response to the central question, “how does social capital express itself in graduate job search patterns in Lusaka, Zambia?”. Through extensive thematic analyses, the researcher finds that there are eight ways in which graduates utilize their social capital to look for work and overcome challenges of the job search. This demonstrates that social capital can be a useful and beneficial job search strategy to adopt in a labour market system where educational credentials alone do not guarantee graduates successful job search outcomes.

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by S.M. Chung. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1987. / Bibliography: leaf 34.

by Kenneth, Kai-cheong, Luk. / Quenstionnaire in Chinese. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-84). / ABSTRACT --- p.i / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.v / ACKNOWLEDGMENT --- p.vii / Chapter / Chapter I. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Background of the Study --- p.1 / Theoretical Framework --- p.2 / Research Questions and its Significant --- p.5 / Chapter II. --- Literature Review --- p.9 / Pay Level and Gender --- p.10 / Pay Level and Academic Achievement --- p.13 / Pay focus and Achievement Motivation --- p.14 / Pay Base and Locus of Control --- p.18 / Pay Structure and Machiavellianism --- p.20 / Chapter III --- Hypotheses of the Study --- p.22 / Chapter IV --- Methodology --- p.25 / Sample --- p.25 / Measurement --- p.25 / Independent Variables --- p.25 / Dependent Variables --- p.28 / Controlling Variables --- p.29 / Dummy Variables --- p.31 / Questionnaire Design --- p.31 / Pilot Testing --- p.32 / Statistical Power --- p.33 / Statistical Analysis --- p.34 / Chapter V --- Result of the Study --- p.38 / Hypotheses Testing --- p.55 / Chapter VI --- Discussion and Conclusion --- p.58 / Limitation --- p.65 / Implication --- p.67 / Further Research Suggestion --- p.69 / Conclusion --- p.71 / Chapter Appendix 1 --- The Questionnaire --- p.73 / Bibliography --- p.78

The problem with which this study was concerned was to identify employment status of the 1964-1971 industrial arts majors who graduated from the colleges and universities in Texas. Specifically this study analyzed the status of the following industrial arts graduates: those with and without teaching certificates, those in educational employment, those in industrial employment, those who had changed their employment from education to industrial or self-employment and vice versa, and those who returned to campus for further studies.