Open AccessEarly Employment Outcomes of College Graduates of Diverse Economic Status
Author(s) -
Ching-Ling Wu,
Mau-Ly Pham
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international research in education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2327-5499
DOI - 10.5296/ire.v5i1.10111
Subject(s) - salary , disadvantaged , job satisfaction , demographic economics , sample (material) , psychological intervention , medical education , psychology , political science , economic growth , medicine , economics , social psychology , chemistry , chromatography , psychiatry , law
A college degree used to open doors for job, particularly for socioeconomically disadvantaged graduates. However, college graduates are experiencing increasing difficulties in the labor market and graduate employment has emerged as a hotly debated issue. This study employed a nationally representative sample from 140 colleges around Taiwan to compare early employment outcomes (job opportunity, salary, and job satisfaction) of graduates of diverse economic status and to examine related factors. The results revealed that graduate salary and job satisfaction corresponded to their economic status. Being female or technical institute graduate enhanced job opportunities, but hindered salaries for all graduates. Collegiate experiences enhanced job opportunities particularly for graduates of low economic status, and degree-level expertise enhanced salary and job satisfaction for all graduates. Based on the results, this study proposes institutional interventions specifically tailored for graduates of different economic status.