Unemployment among graduates

Abstract

This dissertation endeavours to establish if Faculty of Arts students graduating in Sociology or Social Studies from the University of Malta actually find employment and whether that is in any way related to their previous studies. Unemployment among graduates is a hot local issue. University students often ask themselves whether it is any longer worthwhile studying hard when the rate of unemployed graduates is presumably very high. Other students claim that the situation is exaggerated but still express concern that the job they might obtain is not necessarily even remotely related to their previous studies. Furthermore, much debate is taking place regards to the fact that graduates with a B.A. Degree prefer to carry on with their studies for a Higher Degree, while others complain that the financial burden to do so is prohibitive. This study is therefore being conducted in order to establish an objective assessment of the situation while appraising the feelings of sociology and social studies graduates from the University of Malta. It will attempt to establish how and why Maltese employers ask for experience from students who have just graduated when it is likely that most of them do not have any experience at all. The methodology used in this thesis is both qualitative and quantitative. I have interviewed a sample of University Graduates regarding the above discussed issues. The gathered data was analysed and compared to relevant literature so hopefully one can arrive at a number of conclusions on the subject.