Why Many Graduates Struggle to Find Jobs After School

Graduation from school is looked at as the start of a better life. After years of being in class, doing assignments and taking exams, many young people expect to get a job and begin their careers. But that doesn’t always transpire. For many, it is a case of job search right after leaving school, which may go on for months if not years.

This issue is very much so in Nigeria, which has large numbers of young people entering the labor market each year. We aren’t to say that graduates are not doing their best. In many cases, what we see is a result of a mix of few job openings, skills gaps, weak work experience and issues within the education system.

Lack of Practical Work Experience

One large issue is that of practical experience. A graduate may have a degree but may never have had the chance to work in an office, lab, industry, or in any kind of professional setting.

Employers today are looking for individuals that do not just talk about what they learned in school but also bring to the table experience in using office software, interacting with customers, preparing reports, working as a team player, or who also have the ability to solve day-to-day issues.

This is a catch-22 for graduates. They require experience to get a job, which in turn requires that they already have experience.

Internships, industrial placements, volunteer work and student projects do also help to close that gap, but what we see is that not all students have access to them.

The Distance Between School and Work

What we put into our students’ heads in school is important, but what is taught in the classroom doesn’t always fit what the job market is looking for. This is at times called a skills gap.

A person may be in a field of study for many years, which still does not equip him with all the skills the workplace has to offer. For instance, a graduate may know the theory of a subject very well but, at the same time, may lack experience with modern tools related to that field.

Research reports on graduate employability report that academic knowledge is put forward as very much in the company of practical, technical and transferable skills. Also, the ILO and UNESCO have reported on the issue of better connecting education, skills development and employment.

Too Little Work for Too Many Applicants

Another issue which we see is the number of jobs available as compared to the number of job seekers.

In today’s competitive job market, which is very tough even for the best-prepared graduates, we see many quality candidates apply for the same position. In such a setting, companies have a large pool of talent to choose from. Also, some companies may go with those who have relevant past experience, special skills or professional ties.

This, in turn, may not be a personal failure; what is seen in the case of unemployment. Also, the state of the labor market plays a role. When companies do not produce enough job opportunities, graduates may face issues despite their work put in.

Lack of Technical and Digital Skills

In today’s work environment, which is very much a tech-based setting, graduates are expected by many employers to have a handle on tools like spreadsheets, databases, design software, digital communication platforms or specific programs related to their field.

A degree is not for all positions sufficient.

This does not mean that every graduate has to become a tech expert. What we do ask is that graduates have a grasp of the basic digital tools related to their field.

Weak Communication and Problem-Solving Skills

Employers look for skills which are not always tested by exams.

Communication, teamwork, time management, adaptability and problem-solving is what really makes a difference in the workplace. A grad may have great grades but fall short in putting forth a clear idea, working with teams, or in handling coolness under pressure when things go awry.

These skills can be honed through group projects, volunteer work, leadership roles, part-time jobs and other forms of responsibility during your academic years.

Poor Career Planning

Some time till graduation is what some students put off until they graduate before they seriously think about their careers. They may choose a field of study because their friends are doing it, because their parents put them into it or because they think it has the best job prospects.

After graduation, some may find themselves at a loss what to do.

Career development should start early. Students can research various professions, talk to professionals in those fields and see what skills are in demand from employers. This also helps them make better choices before leaving school.

Limited Workplace Exposure

Industrial training and internships bring students into the real world of work. They see how companies function, how info is passed between staff members and also which responsibilities are key.

Unfortunately, not all have equal access to good work experience. Some students report difficulty in securing placements; also, others may finish their training without having had much responsibility.

Universities and employers may also do well by forming stronger relationships that, in turn, present students with real-world experience.

The “Entry-Level” Experience Problem

One many new graduates report is that of job ads which term themselves as entry-level but still require past experience.

Not all employers do that; also, some organizations hire fresh graduates. While in other cases, experience is a must, which is when we see green graduates put up against those that have had previous experience in the same roles.

Employers do their part by putting forth more graduate trainee and apprenticeship roles. These programs allow companies to train talented young professionals, which in turn gives graduates a realistic transition into the workforce.

Limited Professional Networks

In certain fields, it is that which graduates have access to professional networks which pays off as they become aware of job opportunities that aren’t widely known. Also, professional connections can give advice on applications, interviews and what to expect out of the work environment.

This doesn’t mean jobs should be handed out to friends and family. Instead, we see the value in professional relationships.

Students may start to build out their networks at career events, joining professional associations, speaking with professors and connecting with professionals in their fields.

Applying for the Wrong Jobs

Some graduates apply for what seems like all available positions, which in fact may not be related to their field of study or skills at all. This, in turn, results in many of their applications being rejected.

Instead, a strategy which focuses on what a given job is about and presents relevant skills and experience that match is what we should use. Also, a grad should be open to related roles which play to their abilities.

What Graduates and Employers said about this topic

The below are case studies put together by the Goggotech team to show common experiences.

A graduate: Adaeze Okafor

“I thought I would easily get a job once I got my degree. At graduation, I found out that many employers were looking for practical experience. I began to apply for internships and to learn what it takes in the workplace in order to better prepare myself.”

An employer: Daniel Eze

“As we hire graduates, we look past their transcripts. We are after individuals that can communicate, that learn fast, that work well with others and that take on basic responsibilities. A degree is a plus, but it is by no means the whole picture of what we are looking for in a candidate.”

How the Problem Can Be Reduced

Graduate unemployment does not have a single solution. Grads can play a role in that by acquiring practical skills, going for work experience, improving communication skills and in early career planning.

Universally, institutions may also look into the assessment of the courses on a regular basis as well as partner with the business community to stay on top of what the ever-changing market requires. Also, we see a very important role for practical projects, internships and career counseling in the academic program.

Employers can develop programs like internships, apprenticeships, and postgraduate training in which our graduates participate. Also, they can set atypical work tasks required for that early stage of a career as practical experience.

Government also has a key role to play. In terms of policy which supports business growth, skills training, entrepreneurial spirit, education and job creation, we see that as a way to improve the wider labor market.

Conclusion

Having degrees are great achievements, but they don’t in and of themselves mean that a person is ready for any job. The shift from school to work life requires a mix of knowledge, practical experience, technical skill and personal abilities.

At the same time, it is true that graduates don’t bear full responsibility for unemployment. We see that there is a lack of good-fit job options, variation between what education puts out and what the job market wants, narrow access to training and also the role of larger economic issues which play a part in this.

Education and also the job market must be more integrated, which is the key issue. What we see is that there is a need for more practical experience for students before they graduate, that schools must adapt to what the work field is asking for today, that businesses should play a role in the early professional development of young workers, and that which policies are put in place by the government must support a labor market which, in turn, gives our youth meaningful entry into their fields.

When these groups team up, graduation may in fact be just the start of what is to come in terms of a real-world experience. Graduation does not have to be the end of the road for formal education; instead, it can be the beginning of a different kind of learning which is very much a part of the professional world.