Job satisfaction among university graduates in Chile

Abstract

PurposeThe job satisfaction of university graduates can serve as an indicator of success in their professional development. At the same time, it can be a measure of higher education systems’ effectiveness. The purpose is to assess the relationship of university graduates’ socio-demographic characteristics, aspects of their degree program, experiences in the labor market and current working conditions and their job satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from a survey conducted at 11 Chilean universities with 534 graduates. An ordinal logistic regression model was fit to calculate job satisfaction probabilities for different graduate profiles.FindingsThe results show that sex, field of study, gross salary and horizontal match are related to graduates’ job satisfaction. Men and graduates in education and humanities are more likely to report being satisfied with their current job. Those graduates receiving higher salaries and those who are horizontally well-matched report higher levels of job satisfaction.Originality/valueThis study contributes to expanding knowledge about the job satisfaction of university graduates. Specifically, based on the results obtained, it introduces the idea of aspiration fulfillment as a possible determinant of job satisfaction in different fields of study. This can serve as a starting point for research that delves into differentiated expectations for graduates from different disciplines.

Guest editorial: Employability for and through career transitions

“…The authors respond to recent calls to integrate graduate employability and career development literature while contributing to the literature on school-to-work transitions. They suggest that universities should invest in enhancing students' perceived employability and provide a comprehensive understanding of the labour market.Article 8: insights from graduates in ChileEspinoza et al (2024) investigate the determinants of job satisfaction among graduates from 11 selective universities in Chile. Drawing upon cross-sectional survey responses from 534 graduates, the authors unveil several vital factors influencing job satisfaction.…”