Background and Purpose In 2010, 20.5 million were students enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in four-year public universities in the United States 1. Approximately, 60% of these were first-generation students (students whose parents did not earn a four year college degree)2. However, what has been largely overlooked in research on first-generation students in the United States is the issue of post-degree employability or the transferability of education into graduate level employment opportunities. The primary purpose of this research, therefore, was to explore if and how the educational biography of first-generation students impacted their transition into graduate level positions in the corporate sector. Research Methodology The study was guided by three research questions: how first-generation graduates described the process of navigation into the corporate world; how they perceived their transition into graduate level employment; and what role they envisaged for educational institutions in supporting this transition. The researcher conducted a qualitative inquiry of the transition experiences of 14 first-generation graduates employed in the financial industry in a metropolitan city in the United States and collected data through semi-structured interviews. Using a phenomenological approach, the researcher described and interpreted the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of these 14 individuals with regard to their transition from education to employment. Findings This study indicated that the education level of parents seemed to be a more serious determinant and driver of the immediate occupational outcomes of first-generation students, more so than their racial, social or economic background. The study found that restricted access to cultural and social capital within the families resulted in first-generation graduates being disadvantaged on four grounds: ineffective career decision making skills; lack of familiarity with corporate culture and expectations; inadequate preparation for the world of work; and lack of access to professional networks. Conclusions The four disadvantages resulted in first-generation graduates starting at entry level positions in the corporate sector, having to invest time and effort to learn corporate culture and expectations, experiencing delayed growth within the organization, along with facing a possibility of being discriminated against during recruitment process. This study clearly indicated the need for policy and programs that could support transition of first-generation graduates into graduate level employment. The study also found the need for faculty to play a proactive role in enhancing the career orientation of first-generation students, the importance of lobbying for more inclusive recruitment practices in the corporate sector, and the significance of creating graduate level positions to match the increasing supply of graduates. 1U. S. Census Bureau (2012). The 2012 statistical abstract: The national data book. 2. U.S. Department of Education, NCES (2010, September). Web tables: Profile of undergraduate Students 2007-2008.

Thesis ( Ed.D.)--Duquesne University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 110-122) and index.

This research paper investigates whether a holistic approach to skills training which challenges cultural norms and perceptions regarding the relationship between work and self-reliance, as employed by Siya-Sebenza, results in a change of mindset and work ethic. This paper evaluates the strength of this holistic approach to skills training and assesses whether it has a marked effect on the mindset and attitudes of graduates regarding issues of self-reliance, motivation and understanding their role in their employment.

This thesis aims to find the factors that affects perceived employability of graduates that been involved in student associations. In addition, finding the potential relationship between perceived employability and student associations. We are applying a mixed method approach on our research, with the usage of both interviews and a survey as well a theoretical framework consisting of previous literature regarding the components of the topic. The reasoning behind a mixed method approach was to be able to create a triangulation and cross-check the answers. Overall, the research points out the potential positive relationship between student associations and perceived employability and factors found through the data collection. Leadership is one category that was highlighted in the primary data, but not found in theory. Therefore, we suggest further research about leadership and its effect on employability as well as its relationship to student association.

In parallel with the ageing of the European population, the number of senior workers (that is to say, workers aged 50 and more) is expected to increase in the decades to come. The necessity to maintain senior workers into the labor force (specially to support the sustainability of pensions system) combined with a general trend to delay the retirement age and with the current economical climate, makes the employment of senior workers a burning issue. Significant differences indeed exist between European countries. While Sweden has the highest senior employment rate, France has one of the lowest. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether these differences can be explained through differences in terms of employability. This multidimensional concept is here explored through the analysis of quantitative data collected by the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). These data provide an updated version of the situation of senior employees in France and in Sweden and more specifically of their employability. Some indicators of the latter can be thus defined and will be used to look at differences or similarities between French and Swedish senior workers generally speaking and from a gender perspective. The results have confirmed the role of initial education and long-life training which contribute respectively to the employability capital of workers and affect positively the employment rates. Such indicators are the first steps in the definition of the employability, which make way for further researches opening the definition to the other part of the active labor force (that is to say, the unemployed).

This dissertation presents three separate studies designed to examine perspectives on employment for individuals with disabilities from employers and educators. First, a literature review was conducted on the studies published in the past decade to provide an update of employers' attitudes toward employees with disabilities. Investigated factors included studies? methodologies, research procedures, and employer characteristics. Research findings indicated that employers increasingly showed favorable attitudes toward individuals with disabilities and demonstrated willingness to hire workers with disabilities. Employers' previous experience with workers with disabilities was associated with positive employer attitudes. Secondly, 168 employers and 105 educators were surveyed regarding their perspectives on valued employability skills for entry-level employees with and without disabilities. The second study primarily focused on examining employers' perspectives of the most valued employability skill areas and specific employability skills as well as associated employer factors (i.e., respondents' genders and types of business/industry). Differences between employers' expectations for employees with disabilities and for those without disabilities were analyzed. The study results presented findings on important employability skills and discrepancies between rating for employees with and without disabilities were discussed, and reported the effects of respondent factors. Lastly, the third study investigated and compared both employers and educators' expectations on important employability skills. Study identified differences of ratings on important employability skills between employers and educators. Study also found out how they viewed differently on employability skills for employees with and without disabilities. To sum up, this dissertation revealed updated trends of employers' attitude toward workers with disabilities. It also identified critical employability skills viewed by employers and educators for entry-level workers with disabilities. The comparisons between employers and educators' perspectives provided information on what schools should include or emphasize in vocational preparation programs to prepare students with disabilities for future employment.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.81-90).

Employability has become a key consideration for graduates, and society. Increasingly the trajectory of individuals at age 18 involves the completion of an undergraduate level degree qualification. This thesis presents a sociologically grounded study into the dialogic construction of employability in final year hospitality students and recent hospitality graduates. Drawing on a nationwide sample of UK based hospitality graduates, as they transition beyond undergraduate level higher education, a new understanding of the way in which employability is narrated and individuals position themselves within the competitive context surrounding employability, has been uncovered. The study therefore evaluates the way in which employability is constructed and narrated as a result of graduates’ social and cultural capital, their experience of higher education, career focus and way in which identity is constructed. Through the utilisation of a dialogic narrative approach the social dimensions of employability have been considered within this study. As a result this research sits in contrast to the dominant conceptions of employability, whereby agency is elevated in importance, which pertain within society. The duality between structure and agency is taken into consideration by drawing on the work of Bourdieu and Giddens. Assumptions surrounding the somewhat linear trajectories into employment which are anticipated by many, are challenged and structural influences, identified through the multivoiced nature of dialogue are analysed in conjunction with the agency exhibited by individuals. Identity is also used in order to help understand employability and to frame the narrative and reflexive processes that are undertaken within the construction of graduates’ narratives of employability. Drawing on 28 interviews this study reveals how individuals narrate employability in different ways, based on their experience of higher education and intended trajectory, upon completion of their degree. The socio-cultural background of individuals is also highlighted as a mediating and influencing factor within the process of engagement with learning and development within higher education, and subsequent constructions of employability. It is argued that hospitality graduates are not effectively prepared for the transition into employment on completion of their degrees and therefore work needs to be done in order to better prepare them for employment both within and beyond the hospitality industry. The hospitality industry itself is also not doing enough in order to support the development of students and graduates in order to encourage career development within the field. This has led to a number of recommendations being made in order to better help the development of employability in hospitality graduates through undergraduate curriculum and associated work related experience.

The globalised world of business is driven by employers with a demand for employees who are skilled in teamwork, communication, problem solving and self-management. In particular new entrants such as graduates need to possess these skills to function effectively in the working environment. However, employers are concerned with graduates’ employability level, due to their inability to find graduates with the required skills to effectively contribute and adapt to the working environment. The employability skills of graduates depend largely on the role of universities in the development of these skills. Therefore, more national and international universities are focusing on enhancing the employability of graduates by collating job-market and economic information. Although this input by universities suggests a signal of change, these initiatives are still not enough to ensure the employability of graduates or their effective functioning in the working environment. The primary objective of this study is to investigate final-year undergraduate business management students’ ability to perform the pertinent employability skills which are deemed essential in the business environment. In this study the participants’ ability to demonstrate four employability skills on specific levels were measured. These skills include problem solving, communication, teamwork and self-management. In this study a multi-methods approach was used to collect, analyse and report data. Multimethods include both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative method was used for analysing aspects of problem solving, communication (written and oral) and teamwork by using different tests to determine the participants’ skill levels. The qualitative method was used for collecting and report on other aspects of problem solving and selfmanagement. A total of 45 final-year undergraduate business management students took part in this study. Data entry, tabulation and statistical analysis of quantitative data were done by the Statistical Consultation Services of the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus) whereas qualitative data were analysed by an external expert as well as the researcher. The results of this study indicate that students are not yet fully competent to demonstrate these employability skills at the end of their studies, which places considerable pressure on universities and lecturers to empower students with employability skills. Although it might seem that employers have high expectations for graduates, employers do not expect candidates to be completely competent when they enter the work environment. The candidates are expected to be able to learn, adapt in the work environment and develop the skills needed for their specific work. It is recommended that universities must implement skills development strategies and develop close relationships with the private sector in order to establish work-integrated learning initiatives. Students are also expected to develop their own skills by taking initiative and taking responsibility for their own learning and development. Henceforth, it is recommended that lecturers develop their own educational abilities to be able to develop students’ employability skills. The most essential limitations of this study include time constraints and limited funding. The magnitude of data collection also limited the study to focus only on four employability skills namely problem solving, communication (written and oral), teamwork and self-management, pertaining to the employability skills of graduates. / MCom (Business Management)|cNorth-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The globalised world of business is driven by employers with a demand for employees who are skilled in teamwork, communication, problem solving and self-management. In particular new entrants such as graduates need to possess these skills to function effectively in the working environment. However, employers are concerned with graduates’ employability level, due to their inability to find graduates with the required skills to effectively contribute and adapt to the working environment. The employability skills of graduates depend largely on the role of universities in the development of these skills. Therefore, more national and international universities are focusing on enhancing the employability of graduates by collating job-market and economic information. Although this input by universities suggests a signal of change, these initiatives are still not enough to ensure the employability of graduates or their effective functioning in the working environment. The primary objective of this study is to investigate final-year undergraduate business management students’ ability to perform the pertinent employability skills which are deemed essential in the business environment. In this study the participants’ ability to demonstrate four employability skills on specific levels were measured. These skills include problem solving, communication, teamwork and self-management. In this study a multi-methods approach was used to collect, analyse and report data. Multimethods include both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative method was used for analysing aspects of problem solving, communication (written and oral) and teamwork by using different tests to determine the participants’ skill levels. The qualitative method was used for collecting and report on other aspects of problem solving and selfmanagement. A total of 45 final-year undergraduate business management students took part in this study. Data entry, tabulation and statistical analysis of quantitative data were done by the Statistical Consultation Services of the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus) whereas qualitative data were analysed by an external expert as well as the researcher. The results of this study indicate that students are not yet fully competent to demonstrate these employability skills at the end of their studies, which places considerable pressure on universities and lecturers to empower students with employability skills. Although it might seem that employers have high expectations for graduates, employers do not expect candidates to be completely competent when they enter the work environment. The candidates are expected to be able to learn, adapt in the work environment and develop the skills needed for their specific work. It is recommended that universities must implement skills development strategies and develop close relationships with the private sector in order to establish work-integrated learning initiatives. Students are also expected to develop their own skills by taking initiative and taking responsibility for their own learning and development. Henceforth, it is recommended that lecturers develop their own educational abilities to be able to develop students’ employability skills. The most essential limitations of this study include time constraints and limited funding. The magnitude of data collection also limited the study to focus only on four employability skills namely problem solving, communication (written and oral), teamwork and self-management, pertaining to the employability skills of graduates. / MCom (Business Management)|cNorth-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015