Authors

• Mäkinen, Jukka (University of Tampere. Career Services)
• Karvinen, Aija (University of Tampere. Career Services)
• Ollikainen, Jyrki (University of Tampere. Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Philosophy)

Keywords

career development, employment, employment opportunities, graduates, higher education institutions, job hunting, tertiary education

Abstract

The survey charted the employment situation of people who had graduated from the University of Tampere in 2003. Employment status, employment history and experiences of unemployment after graduation were investigated. The respondents were asked about the nature of their current job and whether the job was commensurate with their qualifications. They were also asked what kind of work they had done during their studies.

One topic pertained to the respondents' job searching methods. The respondents were also asked which factors were most important in obtaining their current job and which factors may have hindered or prevented them from finding employment that would be commensurate with their qualifications. Opinions on what skills and abilities their employers value were probed.

The respondents were asked how satisfied they were with their degrees. They evaluated the supply of courses provided by the University of Tampere and were asked what they had been especially satisfied and dissatisfied with. The survey studied how university studies had improved the know-how skills needed in working life, for example, theoretical and practical knowledge of the respondents' fields, social and problem solving skills. Background variables included respondent's gender, region and information on the degree (degree programme, previous degree, faculty, field of study and the time when studies began).