Addressing the Disconnect: Why University Graduates Rarely Work in Their Trained Fields (A Scoping Review)

Background: The global issue of university graduates being unable to work in their chosen fields is a pressing concern that spans across various industries and countries. This trend calls into question the effectiveness of higher education in aligning students' education with labor market demands. The underlying causes of this issue are diverse and complex, encompassing factors such as shifts in the labor market, individual preferences, and the perceived relevance of acquired knowledge and skills. 

The purpose of this scoping review is to systematically analyze existing literature to uncover the primary causes of this trend and its implications for higher education institutions and policymakers.

Materials and Methods: This review adheres to established best practice guidelines, utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) to guide the reporting process. A thorough search was conducted across ScienceDirect and ResearchGate, focusing on studies published in English between 2017 and 2023 that met specific inclusion criteria. 

Results: The initial search identified 681 relevant articles. After an initial screening, 265 articles were removed due to duplication, and another 163 articles were excluded as irrelevant. The secondary screening narrowed the selection of relevant sources down to 30 studies. From these, 22 unique categories were extracted and thematically grouped into five broad categories: general trends, employee welfare, wages, employer expectations, and the role of the education system. Most studies identified a mismatch between graduates' skills and labor market demands, the influence of personal interests and values on future career strategies, and the lack of practical work experience during studies. However, broader socio-economic factors and the role of higher education institutions in addressing these issues were often overlooked.

Conclusion: The current review highlights the multifaceted nature of the problem, wherein a significant portion of university graduates is unable to work in their trained specialty. To address this issue, a comprehensive approach is required, taking into account individual, institutional, and socio-economic aspects. Higher education institutions should play a more active role in preparing students for the labor market, not only by providing relevant knowledge and skills but also by fostering adaptive abilities and promoting the concept of lifelong learning.

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