Illustrating school-to-work transition through drawings: An exploratory study with a sample of South African students

Abstract

Orientation: Unemployment is a matter of great concern within the South African context.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of students who are in preparation to enter the labour market, to generate data about students’ experiences of being unemployed and to explore the usefulness of diagrams as a data generation tool in exploring such experiences.Motivation for the study: There is need to understand transition experiences of unemployed youths in South Africa and the basis for making interventions.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative research approach utilising a participatory research design technique was used.Main findings: Three main drawings are illustrated that express students’ concern regarding this transition. These drawings heighten the focus on (1) individual evaluation of students as they make the transition, (2) evaluation of the university enrolment experience and (3) students’ concern about their future, albeit the high unemployment rate in South Africa.Managerial/practical implications: Through the reflections from the drawings, suggestions are made to assist researchers, career counsellors and students.Contribution/value-addition: This article contributes to the literature on the use and need of using the visual methodology as a part of data generation, especially when working with vulnerable students.

“Still haven't found what I am looking for”: rural black students' perceived work readiness and assessment of labor market access

“…This revelation also appeared to be supported by empirical evidence that shows the impact of the high unemployment rate affect Black students and those primarily residing or based in rural communities (Harry et al. , 2018; Harry and Chinyamurindi, 2019, 2020). This has led to calls to understand issues related to work readiness and access to the labor market, especially in contexts of high unemployment in South Africa (Magagula et al.…”

“…This study's need is heightened by more calls for studies that explore issues related to labor market preparedness (Magagula et al, 2020). A starting point is exploring the appraisals of the education system experiences and how this extends to labor market experiences (Harry and Chinyamurindi, 2020). Black students' voices become essential as they are the most affected (McGregor et al, 2019).…”

“…Most affected by this are Black students (Harry and Chinyamurindi, 2020). Such students in the South Africa system are believed to have challenges not just around skills but also their abilities, including work readiness, due to contextual and social challenges (Chinyamurindi, 2017; Lebeloane, 2017; Harry and Chinyamurindi, 2020). A need exists to not only understand the experience of such population groups but also proffer solutions.…”

Determinants of career development self-efficacy: The role of self-directed learning among students at a rural campus in South Africa

“…The link between selfdirected learning and career-related issues is becoming crucial in the 21st century. This is exacerbated by the changing nature of work driven by international quests for the world to become a knowledge economy (Harry & Chinyamurindi, 2020;Pope, 2015).…”

“…Some scholars have argued that we need to understand the barriers affecting career decision-making (Chinyamurindi, 2016;Maree, 2016). Further, calls have been made to focus on understanding how the challenge of rurality can be addressed in terms of the issues with which rural students in higher education need to deal (Harry & Chinyamurindi, 2020).…”