Graduating in uncertain times: The impact of COVID‐19 on recent graduate career prospects, trajectories and outcomes

Abstract

This article examines the impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on recent UK graduates' initial employment outcomes and how they experience the transition into a challenging labour market context. We draw on longitudinal survey and interview data, collected from recent graduates who had mainly graduated during the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic in summer 2020 that examines graduate perception of the labour market, impacts on labour market entry impacts and early career progression and effects of periods of unemployment or under‐employment. The article shows some of the main impacts of the recent pandemic‐affected labour market, including: widespread concerns about job opportunities and employer support, the perceived employment impacts of the pandemic and early signs of scarring and labour market disorientation amongst those who were struggling to find employment of their choice. Such experiences are clearly intensified during the specific COVID‐19 context, but the policy implications they raise have wider relevance for supporting graduates during future periods of labour market volatility.

Do graduate students aim to teach broad-based “employable” skills in online courses?

“…Changes in the workplace prompted by the pandemic, such as increased reliance on remote work and short-term freelance jobs (Lund et al, 2021; Tomlinson et al, 2023), may have altered students’ views about the value of a college education (Flores, 2021; Lederman, 2021; Tough, 2023). To help students see the value in what they are learning, instructors need to draw deliberate connections between coursework and employable skills (Davidson, 2017; Naufel et al, 2019).…”

“…In addition to teaching, graduate students juggle multiple responsibilities including coursework and research (Park & Ramos, 2002) and must navigate their dual identities as staff members and students (Slack & Pownall, 2023). Like the undergraduates in their courses, graduate students face an uncertain job market (Bayerlein et al, 2021; Flaherty, 2020; Lund et al, 2021; Tomlinson et al, 2023), which might make them more mindful of the importance of broad-based employable skills.…”

First-Year Engineering Student Persistence Amidst COVID-19 Interruptions: Evidence from Two Diverse Institutions

“…Our findings regarding the overall improved engineering persistence mid-COVID-19 interruptions were consistent with our prior study . Some plausible explanations include the attention of the two universities on retention efforts, changes to grading policies, a weaker job market during COVID-19, stimulus initiatives, families' emotional and financial support during COVID-19 interruptions, and student sense of purpose during the pandemic Cao et al, 2020;Eloff, 2021;Gelles et al, 2020;Murty & Payne, 2021;Nadya & Pustika, 2021;Núñez, 2022;Sharma & Yukhymenko-Lescroart, 2022;Tomlinson et al, 2022). Although the abrupt transition to online learning was far from perfect, some studies have indicated students appreciated the flexibility it afforded (Salhab, 2022;Serhan, 2020).…”

Young graduates and economic recession: Lessons from the pandemic to prevent the (re)incidence of mental health symptoms

“…7 Studies have provided evidence for single countries, notably higher inactivity rates and an increase in the number of young people not in employment, education or training in Italy 8 ; job losses of low-wage earners working in industries most affected by the lockdown in Canada 17 ; and the scarring and labour market disorientation of young people in the UK. 18 Researchers also note the sociodemographic divides of labour market outcomes, such as the fall in the employment of Hispanic and young people in the US. 19 However, it can be said that the pandemic exacerbated the persistent employment problems of the graduate labour market.…”

“…The impacts of the pandemic on the labour market outcomes worldwide include skill mismatch, job losses, temporary employment, underemployment, reduced job opportunities, salary cuts, health issues, and the renewed relevance of vocational education 7 . Studies have provided evidence for single countries, notably higher inactivity rates and an increase in the number of young people not in employment, education or training in Italy 8 ; job losses of low‐wage earners working in industries most affected by the lockdown in Canada 17 ; and the scarring and labour market disorientation of young people in the UK 18 . Researchers also note the sociodemographic divides of labour market outcomes, such as the fall in the employment of Hispanic and young people in the US 19 .…”