Student employment and school-to-work transition: the Russian case

Abstract

PurposeThe paradigm of school-to-work transition is changing, with an increasing number of students combining work and study. Furthermore, there exists some mixed evidence for the impact of student employment on future earnings and employment likelihood. The purpose of the present paper is to examine additional evidence that would shed light on the pros and cons of student work as a function of its type (i.e. whether or not it matches the student's field of study). We also discuss practical implications for specialists who facilitate the transition of graduates to the job market.Design/methodology/approachThis is a quantitative study based on the National Statistical Survey of Graduate Employment (SGE) conducted by the Russian Federal State Statistic Service (Rosstat) in 2016. Statistical methods of data analysis were used (logistic regression, Mincer equations). The analysis is based on two dependent variables as follows: data on graduates' employment and their monthly earnings.FindingsWe show that student work is a predictor of higher employment chances for both university and vocational college graduates. Moreover, the highest employment chances are associated with student work that is well-matched to the field of study. As for earnings, the greatest returns are again associated with work related to education. Jobs unrelated to education significantly correlate with earnings only for university graduates.Research limitations/implicationsAn important limitation of the present research is that it estimates the effects of student employment over a rather short-term period by using data on employment just after graduation and only starting salaries. These findings evoke the need for further study of graduate competencies and the process of their acquisition.Practical implicationsOur findings suggest some directions for education development. The results can be used to analyze governmental and other stakeholders' initiatives in the field of vocational and higher education.Social implicationsThe research results can be used by a wide range of stakeholders interested in the employment of graduates as a source of data for designing measures for improving graduates' employability.Originality/valueOur study obtained data on the impact of student work on later employment. Tertiary graduates get returns from all work experience, while VET graduates earn more only if their student employment was consistent with their field of study.

What drives labour market success? Empirical analysis of university graduates in Poland

“…The activities undertaken during the studies were not insignificant for the impact on wages, job satisfaction and matching (similar conclusions were drawn by Dudyrev et al. , 2020).…”

“…The activities undertaken during the studies were not insignificant for the impact on wages, job satisfaction and matching (similar conclusions were drawn by Dudyrev et al, 2020). Graduates had undertaken activities in line with the field of the study while at university, their chances of earning above-average wages decreased by approximately 10%, while the chances of being matched or matched and satisfied increased by nearly 30%.…”

“…It is also one of the most sensitive aspects of work, and therefore not every graduate is willing to answer. Additional problems emerged since data on employment just after graduation cover starting salaries (see also Dudyrev et al, 2020). Thus, for this question, there is a lack of data.…”

Does extending the internship period in vocational schools of higher education lead to better employment results?: the case of Turkey

“…On the other hand, since the other theory is viewed from a "signalling/screen" perspective, internships provide a choice Internship period and employment amongst graduates entering the labour market (Tzanakou et al, 2021). For students, internships provide more employment opportunities by providing real work experience (Hurst and Good, 2010;Dudyrev et al, 2020). From this point of view, internship experience is considered as a "door opener" in the labour market for students (Saniter and Siedler, 2014).…”

“…, 2021). For students, internships provide more employment opportunities by providing real work experience (Hurst and Good, 2010; Dudyrev et al. , 2020).…”