Focused for some, exploratory for others: job search strategies and successful university-to-work transitions in the context of labour market ambiguity

Okay-Somerville, B. and Scholarios, D. (2022) Focused for some, exploratory for others: job search strategies and successful university-to-work transitions in the context of labour market ambiguity. Journal of Career Development, 49(1), pp. 126-143. (doi: 10.1177/08948453211016058)

Abstract

This article examines the role of student job search strategies that differ in goal-directedness (focused, exploratory and haphazard) in achieving successful university-to-work transitions (i.e., employment in jobs with high skill use/development and qualification-job match). The relationship between job search and employment outcomes is considered in two labour market contexts - high or low ambiguity – which are represented by the comparison between arts, humanities, and social sciences (AHSS) and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates, respectively. Using two-wave survey data, we find that job search strategies during university do not explain, yet differentially impact, successful outcomes one year after graduation. Fully exploring opportunities was particularly beneficial for STEM graduates (low ambiguity context) and more focused job search was beneficial for AHSS graduates (high ambiguity context). Paradoxically, findings both question and reinforce the efficacy of career agency for overcoming barriers to labour market entry, depending on the job search context. The study contributes to the agency and context debates relevant for school-to-work transitions.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: School-to-work transitions, university-to-work transitions, labour market ambiguity, degree subject, graduates, career agency, job search strategies, goal clarity, STEM, arts, humanities and social science (AHSS).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Scholarios, Prof Dora and Okay-Somerville, Dr Belgin
• Authors: Okay-Somerville, B., and Scholarios, D.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Research Group: HRM&OB
• Journal Name: Journal of Career Development
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 0894-8453
• ISSN (Online): 1556-0856
• Published Online: 18 May 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Curators of the University of Missouri
• First Published: First published in Journal of Career Development 49(1): 126-143
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
300034		University-to-work transitions: the role of career self-management in graduation employability and employment success.	Belgin Okay-Somerville	British Academy (BRITACAD)	SG132411	BS - Management