A Qualitative Assessment of Unemployment and Psychology Fresh Graduates’ Job Expectation and Preference

Abstract

Abstract:This study is conducted to assess the fresh graduate of psychology students' job expectation and preference in relation to the existing high unemployment rate. A simple qualitative research method with a cross sectional research design is employed in order to collect detailed and comprehensive information from the participants. The total number of population for this study is all 87 psychology 3 rd year students. Using academic achievement, place of residence and sex as an inclusion criterion, 32 participants (of which 16 were female and the rest 16 were male) were purposefully selected. To collect the desired information, semi-structured interview and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were employed. The result of the study revealed that, majority of psychology fresh graduates expect and prefer to be employed in their field of specialization. It is also found that, fresh psychology graduates' job expectation and preference are affected by their sex, in which female fresh graduates are found to have low expectation and preference. It was also found that, academic achievement and residence have affected fresh psychology graduates' job expectation and preference. Majority of fresh psychology graduates with high academic achievement expect and prefer to be employed in their field of specialization with the highest salary, unlike those with relatively lower academic achievement. With some exceptions due to sex and academic achievement, majority of psychology fresh graduates' job expectation and preference are affected by their residence. That is, fresh psychology graduates from rural area are found to have less expectation and preference of being employed in their field of specialization.