The Transition to Work for Italian University Graduates

Abstract

This study investigates the hazard of first job for Italian graduates. The analysis is in particular focused on the transition from university to work, taking into account the graduates' characteristics and the effects relating to degree subject. It is used a large data set from a survey on job opportunities for the 1998 Italian graduates. The paper employs a non parametric discrete-time single risk models to study employment hazard. Alternative mixing distributions have also been used to account for unobserved heterogeneity. The results obtained indicate that there is evidence of positive duration dependence after a short initial period of negative duration dependence. In addition, competing risk model with unobserved heterogeneity and non parametric baseline hazard have been estimated to characterize transitions out of unemployment.JEL Classification: J64; C41; C50.

Field of Study and Transition into a Stable Job: The Case of a University in Southern Italy

“…In line with the results obtained by Pozzoli (2009), we discover that time has a positive effect on the probability of finding a stable job. This can be explained by the fact that, as time proceeds, individuals become increasingly informed about the availability of job opportunities, refine their search methods and increase their job search ability.…”

“…Such difficulties may generate long lasting unemployment, resulting in human capital depreciation which might affect an entire future professional career. In Italy, a number of studies have dealt with this subject (Ballarino and Bratti 2009;Biggeri et al, 2001;Pozzoli, 2009 among others) and several sample surveys have been conducted by single universities localized in central-northern regions of the country (Checchi, 2002;Staffolani and Sterlacchini, 2001 among others).…”

Pure ethnic gaps in educational attainment and school to work transitions: When do they arise?

“…15 The table indicates furthermore that immigrants have on average twice as many siblings as natives do and that the immigrant sample contains slightly more girls than that of the natives. The impact of the latter two variables on educational achievement and labor market outcomes is, however, not clearly established (Cameron and Heckman, 2001;Ryan, 2001;Pozzoli, 2009;van der Klaauw and van Vuuren, 2010). …”

“…Researchers have mostly focused on a single or a couple of educational or labor market transitions in isolation from related transitions, such as the decision to enroll in tertiary education (see, e.g., Hagy and Staniec, 2002), the probability of succeeding the first year at university (see, e.g., Ortiz and Dehon, 2008) or the probability of a successful transition to work (see, e.g., Eckstein and Wolpin, 1998;Ryan, 2001;Pozzoli, 2009). A problem with this literature is that analyses that ignore the dynamic sorting that takes place in the educational progression are biased.…”

Understanding the transition to work for first degree university graduates in Portugal

“…The Italian case is again considered in Pozzoli (2009) by the use of non parametric discrete-time single risk models to study employment hazard. The author analysis Italian graduates in 1998, when Italy displayed one of the highest youth unemployment rates for university graduates in Europe (around 38%).…”